Ajax vs. Real Madrid in the Women's Champions League qualifiers. Janou Levels scores the 2-0.
Ajax vs. Real Madrid in the Women's Champions League qualifiers. Janou Levels scores the 2-0.
Goals from Felicia Schröder and Janou Levels gave Real Madrid a 2-0 victory over Ajax in the first leg of their UEFA Women’s Champions League third qualifying-round tie at Sportcomplex De Toekomst.
Schröder broke the deadlock with a direct free-kick in the 42nd minute before Levels doubled Madrid’s advantage after 73 minutes. Ajax improved after a difficult opening period but could not find the goal that would have reduced the deficit before next week’s return match in Spain.
The result was Ajax’s first competitive defeat of the season following four successive wins. Anouk Bruil’s side had beaten Brøndby 2-0 and Rangers 2-1 in Europe before beginning their Vrouwen Eredivisie campaign with 1-0 victories over FC Utrecht and PEC Zwolle.
For Real Madrid, the first leg represented their first competitive match of 2026/27 after five pre-season fixtures.
Match details
Result: Ajax 0-2 Real Madrid
Goals: Felicia Schröder 42’, Janou Levels 73’
Competition: UEFA Women’s Champions League, third qualifying round
Leg: First leg
Venue:Sportcomplex De Toekomst, Amsterdam
Second leg: Wednesday 2 September, 20:00 CEST
Real Madrid pin Ajax back
Madrid controlled possession from the opening minutes and quickly forced Ajax into a low defensive position. The hosts struggled to move beyond the halfway line during much of the first quarter, with the speed of Madrid’s passing and movement leaving little time to build from the back.
Lotte Keukelaar immediately looked dangerous on the right on her return to the club where she spent four years across the academy and first team. She was the only former Ajax player among Madrid’s Dutch contingent: Levels previously played for PSV, while Lineth Beerensteyn began her senior career with ADO Den Haag before representing FC Twente.
Ajax goalkeeper Femke Liefting, spending the season in Amsterdam on loan from Chelsea, was required to make two saves in quick succession. Her best intervention denied Linda Caicedo, whose placed effort was heading towards the top corner before Liefting pushed it behind. The goalkeeper then dealt with Andreia Jacinto’s more central attempt following the resulting corner.
Although Ajax were initially overwhelmed by Madrid’s pressure, their recent European history offered evidence that they could grow into the occasion. During their 2023/24 run to the quarter-finals, the Amsterdam side recorded home victories over Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Roma before holding Chelsea to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge in the second leg of their last-eight tie.
Growing into the Game
The first sign of a similar response arrived in the 29th minute. Mirte van Koppen moved beyond her defender and aimed for the far top corner, forcing Merle Frohms to stretch and tip the ball over. It was Ajax’s first meaningful attacking action and coincided with a drop in the intensity Madrid had maintained during the opening half-hour.
Van Koppen threatened again around seven minutes later after Ajax won the ball through pressure, although this time her attempt went over the crossbar.
Madrid answered immediately. Keukelaar collected possession following an Ajax turnover and drove towards Liefting’s goal. Her shot took a touch off new Ajax defender Sari Kees, who arrived from Leicester City this summer, before striking the post.
Ajax had begun to find more space, but Madrid converted their next opportunity. Sherida Spitse fouled Keukelaar just outside the penalty area, presenting the visitors with a dangerous central free-kick. Schröder stepped forward and curled her shot beyond Liefting to make it 1-0 in the 42nd minute.
The hosts had one final opportunity before the break when a corner found Kees, but the Belgian defender could not direct her header towards goal.
Ajax’s improvement does not produce an equaliser
Ajax began the second half further up the pitch, committing players into Madrid’s half instead of immediately being forced back towards their own penalty area.
There was still control in the Madrid midfield, where Jacinto produced an assured competitive debut. The Portugal international regularly dictated the direction and speed of possession, appearing comfortable in a team she only joined this summer.
Ajax created another opening for Van Koppen in the 51st minute. Spitse regained possession in midfield and Katja Snoeijs released the winger, but Frohms read the attack early. The Madrid goalkeeper reached Van Koppen near the byline and forced the ball behind before a clean shot could be taken.
The home side were now able to spend longer periods in Madrid territory, although clear chances remained limited. Madrid retained enough control to slow the match and protect their lead without reproducing the sustained pressure of the opening stages.
As Ajax began to tire, the visitors regained more territory and added their second goal in the 73rd minute. Keukelaar delivered into the penalty area and Ajax failed to complete the clearance. The loose ball dropped to Levels in front of goal. Her first attempt was blocked, but she recovered quickly and converted at the second opportunity.
Schröder almost added a third when she broke through the Ajax defence, only for Kealyn Thomas to recover and make enough contact with the ball for Liefting to collect.
Ajax continued searching for a response and Snoeijs had a major late opportunity during a positive final spell. At the opposite end, substitute Beerensteyn also threatened for Madrid, but neither side changed the score.
Ajax left with work to do in Madrid
Ajax showed that they could compete with Madrid once they escaped the visitors’ early pressure. Van Koppen provided their most consistent outlet, while Liefting’s saves prevented the deficit from growing during the opening stages.
The difference was Madrid’s ability to turn two dangerous situations into goals. Schröder punished the foul on Keukelaar with an accurate free-kick, while Levels reacted quickest when Ajax could not clear the second-half delivery.
Failing to score at home leaves Ajax requiring a significant result in the return leg. Real Madrid will take a two-goal advantage back to the Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium, where the sides meet again on Wednesday 2 September at 20:00 CEST.
The winner over the two matches will advance to the 18-team Women’s Champions League league phase. The defeated club will transfer to the second qualifying round of the UEFA Women’s Europa Cup.