Tolu Arokodare scored twice and provided an assist as Ajax thrashed FC Midtjylland 6-1 in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday, Footynaija reports.
The Super Eagles striker was the star of the show at the MCH Arena in Herning, Denmark, as Ajax recorded a convincing away victory and set two notable records.
Arokodare opened the scoring in the ninth minute, heading home Oscar Gloukh’s corner to give the visitors an early lead.
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Midtjylland responded in the 28th minute through fellow Nigerian forward Friday Etim, who beat Marc-André ter Stegen to level the score.
The Danish side’s chances of taking control of the game suffered a blow just before half-time when Kjell Wätjen was sent off after receiving his second yellow card.
Arokodare joins Ajax scoring elite
Ajax made their numerical advantage count after the break, with Arokodare putting them back in front in the 52nd minute.
The 25-year-old collected a pass from Abdellah Ouazane before beating the goalkeeper to score his second goal of the night.
Seven minutes later, he turned provider, setting up Owen Wijndal to extend Ajax’s lead to 3-1.
Arokodare was substituted in the 70th minute, having played a part in three of Ajax’s goals. Davy Klaassen, Gloukh and Marcos Leonardo scored the remaining goals to complete the 6-1 victory.
His brace took his tally to 10 goals in his first 15 appearances for Ajax in all competitions, making him the fourth player to reach that figure in 15 matches or fewer since the 2010/11 season.
Only Arkadiusz Milik, who scored his first 10 goals in 10 appearances, and Mounir El Hamdaoui, who needed 12 games, reached the milestone faster. Steven Bergwijn also scored 10 goals in his first 15 matches in 2022.
Ajax and Midtjylland set European records
The defeat was Midtjylland’s heaviest home loss in major European competitions.
Arokodare’s two goals also took him to three goals in the Conference League this season, placing him among the competition’s leading scorers.
Ajax’s victory extended Dutch clubs’ unbeaten run against Danish opposition in major European competitions to 10 matches. Dutch teams have won six and drawn four of those encounters.
