Ajax, with summer signings Branco van den Boomen, Benjamin Tahirović and Medić in the opening line-up, started the game against Heracles full of energy. Maurice Steijn's team went straight onto the attack and set up some promising opportunities, but failed to score an early opening goal. During first-half injury time, the visiting team struck lucky and took the lead at the Johan Cruyff ArenA thanks to Engels, after Anass Salah-Eddine and Jorrel Hato failed to clear the ball properly: 1-0.
Medić, making an excellent debut appearance, scored the equaliser for Ajax just moments later. The Croatian defender blasted the ball past Heracles goalkeeper Brouwer. This all-important goal sent the Ajax team back to the dressing room drawing 1-1.
The Amsterdam players came back strong after half-time, straight away finding a great opportunity through Brian Brobbey, but the Ajax striker just bumped up against Brouwer along the way. All through the second half, a second goal for the host team hung in the balance. Ajax pressed on ahead and went in search of the lead.
Their quest paid off fifteen minutes before the final whistle. Kudus tapped the ball into the far corner after a great pass from Tahirović. Soon after, Bergwijn made it 3-1 after playing a fine solo piece. The final chord was also struck by the new Ajax captain. He sent goalkeeper Brouwer into the wrong corner from the penalty spot: 4-1.
Ajax – Heracles 4-1
45+5. Engels 0-1
45+8. Medić 1-1
75. Kudus 2-1
85. Bergwijn 3-1
90+6. Bergwijn 4-1 (p.)
Ajax: Rulli (32. Gorter); Rensch, Medić, Hato, Salah-Eddine (89. Wijndal); Tahirović, Van den Boomen, Taylor (61. Klaassen); Kudus, Brobbey (89. Forbs), Bergwijn
