AJAX endured a humbling 1-0 defeat to Latvian side RFS in the Europa League last night. The Dutch side's opponents had not played a competitive match since the last round of European fixtures on December 12. That's because the Latvian top flight is played between March and November.
![[Ajax Amsterdam players walking off the field after a loss.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/epa11848680-players-ajax-amsterdam-react-966120273_4d682c.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Nevertheless, RFS shocked their more-fancied opponents courtesy of Adam Markhiyev's 78th minute goal. The Eredivisie side started former Premier League stars Jordan Henderson and Bertrand Traore, as well as ex-Juventus ace Daniele Rugani and old Man Utd target Brian Brobbey, but could not find a way through their stubborn hosts.
![[Soccer players Jordan Henderson and Janis Ikaunieks competing on a soccer field.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/fk-rfs-jordan-henderson-ajax-966104102.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Their shocking defeat saw Ajax fall to 16th in the League Phase, four points off the top eight, thus officially ending their hopes of securing automatic progression to the round of 16. Per Global Football Rankings, the Latvian top flight is the 71st best football league in the world.
![[Wout Weghorst of Ajax Amsterdam dribbling the ball during a soccer match.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/fk-rfs-wout-weghorst-ajax-966120057.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
It ranks below the Georgian (66), Finnish (67), Venezuelan (68) and Qatari (69) top flights. While ironically, it comes in directly behind the Dutch second tier (70). Ajax fans were left mortified by last night's result. SUN BINGO GET £50 BONUS & 50 FREE SPINS TODAY.
One posted online: "Dear f***ing god Ajax. Might be the biggest humiliation of a Dutch team in Europe.". While a second wrote: "Huge for Latvia, embarrassing for Ajax. Glimpse of last season right there.". A third fumed: "What an abysmal match from our side.".
