Brighton won their debut match in European football thanks to goals from Ansu Fati and Joao Pedro to defeat struggling Ajax in the UEFA Europa League. With three games remaining, Roberto De Zerbi’s team now has a realistic chance of moving on to the next round of the competition as The Seagulls have moved up from the bottom of Group B.

On a historic night at the Amex Stadium in the UEFA Europa League, Brighton defeated fallen giants Ajax 2-0 to earn their first victory in Europe.

The four-time European champions are currently in a rut, sitting in the Eredivisie’s relegation zone and without a permanent manager. And Brighton made Ajax’s problems worse by putting up a composed and strong performance that downplayed The Seagulls’ growing injury list.

After a one-sided first half in which Brighton found it difficult to convert possession into chances, the home team eventually seized the lead when Kaoru Mitoma’s effort was parried back into the path of the advancing Joao Pedro.

And with a beautiful finish, Ansu Fati eased the game back into contention after the interval.

After a rare attack by Ajax, Steven Berghuis struck the post, giving Brighton a scare. However, the Netherlands international was taken off the field shortly after, as the visiting squad appeared to accept their loss.

As the clock ran out, Brighton was playing nearly exhibition football, and the fans on the south coast had the chance to celebrate a historic victory – the team’s first in European competition against one of the best teams in the continent.

Speaking Point: Brighton’s depth is evident

Given that Danny Welbeck and Solly March will both be out for a while, De Zerbi has revealed that Brighton’s injury list is starting to become truly problematic. There is a long list of injured players, including Tariq Lamptey, Jakub Moder, Julio Enciso, and Pervis Estupinan.

With such background, Brighton’s utter dominance of the match—looking like the best team on the night—was all the more remarkable.

After only one point from the first two games, this outcome preserves their chances of qualifying for the Europa League.

The match’s MVP is Kaoru Mitoma of Brighton.

Ajax was occasionally left chasing shadows because to Brighton’s continual threat on the left flank with their winger.

Joao Pedro scored the first goal thanks to an individual moment of brilliance from him, and on a another night, he very well might have added a goal of his own.

The Seagulls can achieve anything with Mitoma on their side.

PLAYER SCORES

Brighton: Adingra 7, Ansu Fati 8, Mitoma 8, Joao Pedro 8, Gilmour 8, Milner 7, Dunk 7, Veltman 7, Gross 7, Dunk 7, Adingra 8, Milner 7. Subs: Dahoud 6; Webster 6; Ferguson 7; Buonanotte 7

Ajax: Ramaj 6; Hato 6, Sosa 5; Gaaei 5, Sutalo 5, Berghuis 6, Taylor 6, Tahirovic 5, Forbs 4, Brobbey 6, Bergwijn 5. Hlynsson6, Godts5, Van den Boomen6, Ackpom5, Vos 5 are the substitutes.

MATCH SUMMARY

42′: SCOOP! Joao Pedro is leading Brighton at the moment! The winger has a chance to score after some excellent work by Mitoma creates space for him in the box. The save is good, but the forward makes no mistake when the loose ball rebounds to his feet. 1-1!

53′: SCOOT! Ansu Fati performs admirably, controlling with his first touch following a deft run into the box. With his second touch, he flicks the ball past the keeper and between the defender’s legs to make it 2-0.