Ajax vs Olympiakos Piraeus

A goalless first half saw Olympiakos create the clearer openings. Ajax goalkeeper Maarten Paes was forced into action early, making a sharp save with his feet in the fifth minute after a turnover allowed Chiquinho to feed the Ukrainian forward. Paes also saved well from a looping Vidal effort as the Greek side pressed.

Two yellow cards arrived in quick succession in the 42nd minute — Santiago Hezze and Rodinei both booked for Olympiakos — but the score remained 0-0 at the break.

Ajax made six changes at the interval and a further five across the second half, cycling through their squad in the final pre-season test before competitive action begins. Olympiakos made four substitutions of their own.

Ajax's 70th-minute triple change proved decisive. Edvardsen, Jinairo Johnson and Aouazane entered the pitch, replacing Godts, Klaassen and Bouwman. Eleven minutes later, Johnson slipped a pass through to Edvardsen, who dispatched a well-placed strike into the far corner to break the deadlock.

Aouazane was booked for a late challenge in the 88th minute, but Ajax held on to secure the clean sheet.

Oliver Edvardsen (Ajax) — the match-winner. The Norwegian striker showed composure to pick his spot in the far corner from a tight angle, his first goal of pre-season coming at a useful moment ahead of European duty.

Jinairo Johnson (Ajax) — the provider. The youngster's through-ball unlocked the Olympiakos defence, demonstrating the vision that has caught attention in pre-season training.

Maarten Paes (Ajax) — a clean sheet built on two important first-half saves, including a goal-denying stop with his feet inside the opening five minutes that kept the score level.

Player of the Match: Oliver Edvardsen (Ajax)

The 0-0 half-time scoreline reflected a cautious opening, with both sides managing fitness loads rather than chasing goals. Olympiakos had arguably the better chances in the first 45 minutes — Paes made two saves of note — but Ajax grew into the game after the mass substitutions. The 1-0 final scoreline undersells Olympiakos's first-half threat but accurately reflects Ajax's second-half control.

Edvardsen's goal was the only shot on target that truly tested the Olympiakos goalkeeper in the second period, suggesting the Greek side's deeper structural work remains a work in progress. Ajax's 11 substitutions made it a disjointed affair, typical of pre-season, but the clean sheet will please Míchel ahead of a competitive fixture.

Ajax continue their unbeaten pre-season campaign (having beaten Panathinaikos and AEK Larnaca, and drawn 1-1 with VfL Bochum) before this victory. The match was their final workout at De Toekomst before they face FK Vojvodina in the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round on Thursday 23 July 2026 (first leg away), followed by the return leg on 30 July.

Olympiakos, under their own pre-season programme, will continue their build-up towards the 2026/27 Greek Super League season with further friendlies, including a scheduled match against Mechelen.

Ajax's final pre-season friendly is against Burnley FC at the Johan Cruijff ArenA on Sunday 26 July 2026 (14:00 kick-off).

A useful pre-season workout rather than a spectacle. Míchel will have valued the chance to rotate heavily and give minutes to squad players, while Edvardsen's goal provides a timely confidence boost before the Vojvodina tie. Olympiakos showed flashes of quality in the first half but could not sustain it — the hallmark of a side still building fitness.