Ajax and Marseille Split Points in a Six Goal Thriller in the UEFA Europa League

Ajax and Marseille drew 3-3 in “a crazy game” between the two troubled former champions of Europe, while Liverpool and West Ham triumphed in the first round of Europa League group matches on Thursday.

Both Aston Villa and Brighton, who were competing in the Conference League and making their respective European debuts in the Europa League, fell down early and ultimately lost 3-2 despite each team scoring two equalizers.

Ajax, which has only won two games this year and is now ranked 12th in the Dutch division, played Marseille, who is third in Ligue 1, in Amsterdam.

However, coach Marcelino, who had just been hired in June, quit on Tuesday after only seven games in charge after a meeting between Marseille fan representatives and the club’s administration apparently became hostile.

Both teams jumped right into the game on Thursday.

Ajax broke through the opposing defense in the first 20 minutes, scoring goals from Carlos Borges and Steven Berghuis to take a two-goal lead.

“I was certain that the players would regain control of the situation and that we would score the game-winning goal. We were in control, despite the wild nature of the game, according to interim Marseille coach Jacques Abardonado.

Before the break, Jonathan Clauss and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang fought back.

Aubameyang once again equalized with 12 minutes remaining after Kenneth Taylor had restored the home advantage as both teams continued to pelt the opposition goals. Marseille made 25 tries to score in total.

Coach Maurice Steijn of Ajax commented, “It could have been 6-6.” I witnessed a fantastic game in a packed stadium, therefore I don’t want to speak about a problem.

Roma, which finished second last year in Group G, defeated Sheriff 2-1 in Tiraspol thanks to a goal from Romelu Lukaku in the second half. Lukaku scored again after coming from Chelsea.

Earlier, Cristian Tovar tied the score in the second half after replacement midfielder Leandro Paredes scored from a deflected free kick in first-half stoppage time to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

Jose Mourinho’s Roma is attempting to make it to its third consecutive European championship game.

Also in Group G, Slavia Prague defeated Servette 2-0 to earn three points for Geneva.

Atalanta defeated Raków Czestochowa 2-0 in Group D thanks to goals from attacker Charles De Ketelaere and substitute Éderson, while Rangers defeated Real Betis 1-0 in Group C.

In the second minute, Ludovic Blas scored the competition’s first goal of the year to help Rennes defeat Maccabi Haifa 3-0 in Group F. Villarreal, the 2021 Europa League winner, was beaten by Panathinaikos 2-0 in the other matchup in the group.

Leverkusen defeated Sweden’s newcomer Häcken 4-0 in Group H thanks to goals from Florian Wirtz, Aminde Adli, Victor Boniface, and substitute Jonas Hofmann.