Ajax dumped out of KNVB Beker by fourth-tier amateur side

Ajax have been dumped out of the KNVB Beker at the first hurdle courtesy of a historic 3-2 defeat to fourth-tier amateur side USV Hercules this evening.

The 20-time winners of the competition had steadied the ship somewhat in recent months following a disastrous start to the 2023-24 season, but their campaign plumbed new depths in the humble surroundings of Stadion Galgenwaard in Utrecht.

John van't Schip's side initially looked to have spared their blushes by recovering from two goals down with a quickfire double in the final seven minutes of normal time.

However, Mats Grotenberg popped up with a 93rd-minute winner for the home side to hand USV Hercules their biggest ever victory, and arguably the biggest shock in the history of the . . .