Malmö Women Come From Behind to Beat Ajax Amsterdam Women 2-1 in UEFA EL W

Malmö Women produced a composed second-half comeback to defeat Ajax Amsterdam Women 2-1 in their UEFA EL W group-stage clash on 29 October 2026, turning a half-time deficit into an important away victory.

Ajax started brightly and led through Noa van den Berg’s first-half strike, but Malmö responded after the break with a more direct and aggressive approach. Elin Strand levelled the match midway through the second half before Maja Lindberg struck the winner, leaving Ajax to rue a strong opening period that they could not convert into a result.

Match overview

Played at Sportpark De Toekomst, the contest began at a high tempo. Ajax pressed aggressively, won second balls in midfield, and forced Malmö into several early clearances. The home side’s reward arrived in the 17th minute when Van den Berg collected the ball on the edge of the box, shifted onto her right foot, and guided a low finish beyond the goalkeeper.

Malmö grew into the game after conceding. Their midfield began to close the gaps that Ajax had exploited early on, and the Swedish side started to find space behind the full-backs. The equaliser came in the 56th minute when Strand arrived late in the box to convert a cut-back, and Malmö’s winner followed in the 79th minute through Lindberg, who reacted quickest to a loose ball after a corner.

Key moments

• 17th minute: Ajax take the lead as Noa van den Berg cuts inside and finishes low into the far corner.
• 34th minute: Malmö’s first clear chance comes from a header at the back post, but the Ajax goalkeeper claims comfortably.
• 56th minute: Malmö equalise when Elin Strand times her run perfectly and side-foots home from close range.
• 70th minute: Ajax push forward in search of a second, but Malmö’s defence blocks two efforts in quick succession.
• 79th minute: Malmö score the winner as Maja Lindberg pounces on a half-cleared corner and drills the ball through a crowded penalty area.
• 90+3rd minute: Ajax’s final chance is a glancing header from a free-kick, but it drifts just wide of the post.

Tactical story: Malmö’s second-half adjustment

Ajax’s first-half performance was built on intensity. Their front line pressed in coordinated bursts, forcing Malmö to go long and limiting their ability to play through midfield. The early goal gave the home side control, and for a spell it looked as though Ajax would add to their lead.

Malmö changed the picture after the break by pushing their wingers higher and asking their midfield to support the striker more quickly. That adjustment stretched Ajax’s back line and created space between the centre-backs and full-backs. The equaliser came from exactly that area, and the winner followed from a set piece that Ajax failed to clear convincingly.

Standout players

Elin Strand (Malmö Women): The midfielder was central to Malmö’s comeback, scoring the equaliser and driving forward with purpose throughout the second half. Her timing in the box was excellent.

Maja Lindberg (Malmö Women): The match-winner showed sharp reactions around the penalty area and gave Ajax’s defenders a difficult physical battle. Her winning goal was reward for a persistent performance.

Noa van den Berg (Ajax Amsterdam Women): Ajax’s best attacking outlet, Van den Berg took her goal superbly and remained a threat even as the game turned against her side.

Sofia Andersson (Malmö Women): The goalkeeper made two important second-half saves that kept Malmö within reach before the comeback was completed.

Key stats

What the result means

The win gives Malmö Women three valuable points in the UEFA EL W group standings and hands them momentum ahead of their next European fixture. For Ajax Amsterdam Women, the defeat is a setback after a promising start, but the performance showed enough attacking quality to suggest they can respond quickly.

Ajax will need to be more ruthless when on top and more secure when defending set pieces, while Malmö will take confidence from their ability to adapt mid-match. In a group stage where small margins matter, that second-half response could prove to be one of Malmö’s most significant performances of the campaign.