PSV Eindhoven have won their second consecutive Dutch Eredivisie title after a dramatic late-season surge that saw them overtake arch-rivals Ajax against all odds.
Sunday’s 3-1 victory over Sparta Rotterdam sealed the triumph for Peter Bosz’s side, capping one of the most thrilling conclusions to a season in recent memory.
Just weeks ago, the title seemed beyond PSV’s grasp. With five games remaining, Ajax sat nine points clear and looked set to reclaim their dominance. A 2-0 win over PSV in Eindhoven on March 30 was seen as the decisive blow.
However, Ajax faltered at the finish line, losing twice and drawing twice in their final matches. A gut-wrenching 2-2 draw against Groningen — where they conceded a goal in the ninth minute of stoppage time — allowed PSV to leapfrog them after winning six consecutive matches following their defeat to Ajax.
Though PSV’s domestic form had been inconsistent earlier in the season, the team found its rhythm just in time. One key moment came in a late win over Feyenoord, keeping their title hopes alive with only two games left.
The club’s resilience has paid off, with this 26th Eredivisie title made sweeter by its improbable nature. Captain Luuk de Jong admitted the squad had nearly written off the title after their home loss to Ajax.
“After the home defeat against Ajax, we had already given up. We were nine points behind,” said De Jong. “I have never experienced this before… There was a lot of joy because we didn’t dare to dream of this anymore. It turns out that hunting is sometimes easier.”
Offensively, PSV have been formidable for a second season in a row, scoring over 100 goals. Strikers Luuk de Jong, Noa Lang, and Ricardo Pepi all recorded double-digit tallies. But Lang’s off-field issues and run-ins with fans have added tension to the season, alongside swirling transfer rumours.
Their European journey provided a high point with a dramatic 3-2 Champions League win over Premier League title-holders Liverpool, but their campaign ended in embarrassment with a crushing 7-1 defeat to Arsenal.
Ajax, meanwhile, are left to rue what might have been. Though they secured second place and a return to Champions League football under new coach Francesco Farioli and captain Jordan Henderson, their collapse in the title race will haunt fans and players alike.
In a statement, the Ajax Supporters Association captured the disappointment: “Before this season, many Ajax fans would have bitten your hand off for a second place in the Eredivisie… But with Ajax almost smelling the title, a drop to second place still hurts so much. So near, but so far.”
What you should know
PSV Eindhoven’s incredible late-season form saw them overturn a nine-point gap to win their 26th Eredivisie title, overcoming a faltering Ajax side that had seemed certain champions.
With strong attacking firepower and renewed resolve, PSV claimed a dramatic and emotional victory that will be remembered for years to come.
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