Napoli have already booked their ticket to the Champions League Round of 16 after another dominant performance against Ajax, as Kvicha Kvaratskhelia turned on the style and Victor Osimhen scored on his comeback.
The Partenopei won 6-1 in Amsterdam and knew they needed only a point here to be sure of reaching the Round of 16. Victor Osimhen was back on the bench after a long lay-off, while Amir Rrahmani was out of action. The Dutch side made the trip without Devyne Rensch, Mohammed Ihattaren and suspended captain Dusan Tadic.
It took under four minutes to break the deadlock with a sensational team goal, as Piotr Zielinski combined with Chucky Lozano, a delicate ball chipped over the defence finding the Mexico international for a looping header.
Ajax tried to fight back, Alex Meret palming away a Steven Bergwijn effort and Steven Berghuis curling inches wide, while Kvicha Kvaratskhelia skinned three players in a row before Lozano volleyed over.
Kvaratskhelia was involved in the second goal moments later, combining with Zielinski down the left to set up Giacomo Raspadori, who blasted into the roof of the net after an initial touch from 12 yards.
Ajax did get one back after the restart, Bassey’s cross from the left finding a Davy Klaassen header into the near top corner.
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa limped off and Osimhen made his comeback from injury, as Tanguy Ndombele drilled just wide.
A penalty was awarded using VAR as Jurrien Timber charged down Ndombele’s volley with a trailing hand, and Kvaratskhelia converted with ferocity into the top corner.
There was a one-handed save on Lozano’s angled drive and Osimhen had the ball in the net only after wandering offside.
Instead, a very soft penalty was awarded to Ajax, as Brian Brobbey seemed if anything to be leaning into Juan Jesus and they both went down. Nonetheless, Bergwijn converted to give the Dutch side a consolation.
Osimhen was probably offside, but that didn’t excuse his extraordinary miss, firing over from six yards on a low cross from the right.
The Nigerian was visibly desperate to get a goal after so much time on the treatment table and it paid off, as he harassed Daley Blind into an error and fired into the empty net. Osimhen’s celebrations were wild, whipping off his shirt and mask to run towards the crowd.
Napoli 4-2 Ajax
Lozano 4 (N), Raspadori 16 (N), Klaassen 49 (A), Kvaratskhelia pen 62 (N), Bergwijn pen 93 (A), Osimhen 90 (N)