Ajax overwhelm Sion in five-goal Conference League thriller

AFC Ajax made the perfect start at home, with Yannick Baas firing them ahead after just one minute. The early goal set the tone for a match that would deliver end-to-end action, though FC Sion struck back through Wilfried Boteli Mokango's 18th-minute finish to level proceedings.

Ajax reasserted control before half-time. Davy Klaassen extended their lead in the 39th minute, and the hosts went into the break leading 2-1 after some chaotic defending.

The second half belonged entirely to Ajax. Tunde Arokodare scored twice in quick succession, netting in the 45th minute and then again just six minutes into the restart to make it 4-1. Ole Edvardsen added a fifth in the 54th minute to seemingly put the tie beyond reach at 5-1.

Yet Sion refused to surrender. Boteli Mokango grabbed a second goal in the 36th minute, and added a third deep into stoppage time with the score at 5-3, but it came too late. Ajax's dominance in the opening exchanges and Arokodare's brace proved decisive, securing a 5-3 victory in a playoff round tie that saw N. Sow and N. Lavanchy collect yellow cards for the away side.