Ajax Cruise Past Shelbourne in Conference League First Leg

Ajax made light work of Irish side Shelbourne FC, winning 3-1 at the Johan Cruijff ArenA to take a commanding lead into next week's return leg in Dublin. Mika Godts and Owen Wijndal struck in the first half, before Kasper Dolberg added a third after the break. Shelbourne grabbed a late consolation in the final ten minutes.

The Amsterdam side wasted no time asserting themselves, winning a penalty inside the first two minutes after Godts was fouled in the box — the Belgian stepped up and converted himself. Ajax kept the pressure on and doubled their lead soon after through Wijndal, who finished off a slick Steven Berghuis assist. Given the sheer volume of chances created, it was almost a surprise the score was still only 2-0 at the break.

Ajax picked up where they left off after the restart, with Dolberg tapping home at the near post from yet another well-placed Berghuis pass to make it 3-0. Godts had a chance to add a fourth from the spot but couldn't convert his second penalty of the night. Shelbourne finally made something of their first real chance of the match late on, pulling one back to finish 3-1.

The night also had a special moment off the pitch: new signing Julian Brandt, who put pen to paper in Amsterdam on Friday, was given a warm ovation from the home crowd as he came off the bench to make his Ajax debut.

Ajax - Shelbourne FC 3-1 (2-0)
6' Godts (pen.) 1-0
22' Wijndal 2-0
50' Dolberg 3-0
84' Kelly 3-1