AZ hadn't lost to Ajax in seven straight games before Sunday's crucial Eredivisie meeting. The visitors had already beaten Ajax twice this season, a 2-1 league win in December and a 2-1 cup victory in January.
Both sides were eliminated from the UEFA Europa League just a couple of days prior to Sunday's match after losses to Eintracht Frankfurt (4-1) and Tottenham Hotspur (3-1) on Thursday night. Ajax's loss in Germany sparked controversy in the Netherlands after manager Francesco Farioli changed his side in ten different spots compared to the home leg, essentially fielding a B-team as they fought for survival.
The Italian manager heavily changed his side again, welcoming striker Brian Brobbey, captain Jordan Henderson, and centre-half Youri Baas back into the starting eleven. Kian Fitz-Jim got the nod in midfield over vice-captain Davy Klaassen.
Both sides appeared in special kits. Ajax wore a modern remake of their iconic white-red-white kit, paying homage to the first-ever edition. AZ, in turn, wore special black kits, paying homage to the region's windmills.
The first half—of which the start got delayed due to fireworks—was dominated by physical duels between Brobbey and AZ defender Wouter Goes, after the two had fought several battles during the sides' previous meetings. Without many chances but with a red card for Ajax assistant Felipe Sanchez Mateos after expressing much frustration at the officials, the sides headed into the break with the score at 0-0.
The game exploded shortly after the break when Kenneth Taylor got agonisingly close to putting Ajax in front, but the team's top goalscorer hit the post with his effort from inside the box.
AZ rushed to the other side of the pitch and profited from defensive miscues in Ajax's backline when Zico Buurmeester found the ball in front of his feet and gave AZ the lead.
The away crowd could not enjoy the lead for much longer as Ajax responded quickly via Anton Gaaei. The Danish right-back played a quick one-two with Bertrand Traore before neatly putting the ball away in the far side of the goal.
Red hot
The match would soon catch fire again as Gaaei mistimed a tackle and hit Zico Buurmeester's leg forcefully, prompting the VAR to call over referee Dennis Higler to review the foul. Higler overturned the yellow card and sent Gaaei off with a straight red in the 74th minute.
However, just two minutes later, AZ were reduced to ten men when Portuguese defender Alexandre Penetra received a second yellow card for tackling Brian Brobbey. The card—which could not be overturned because it was not a straight red card—prompted AZ to protest Higler heavily and temporarily pause the game. Managers Maarten Martens and Wouter Goes called for the AZ players to leave the pitch out of severe dismay.
Without actually leaving the pitch, Ajax and AZ would continue playing and provide more sensation as Ibrahim Sadiq put AZ back in front after being left totally unmarked by the Ajax defence during a corner.
Ajax would hit back quickly again, however, as substitute Oliver Edvardsen stood in the right spot at the right time after AZ goalkeeper Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro mishandled a Kenneth Taylor cross and was able to score from the rebound.
The two sides would fight to the end but eventually share the points in Amsterdam. Ajax saw the gap to chasers PSV close to six points as AZ failed to the fifth spot with a win.