Ajax Clinical in Almelo: Mika Godts and Steven Berghuis Drive 3-0 Victory over Heracles

Ajax asserted their dominance on Saturday evening, securing a comfortable 3-0 win against Heracles Almelo at the Asito Stadium. A clinical opening burst, featuring a delicate strike from Belgian winger Mika Godts and a brace from Steven Berghuis, ensured the match was effectively decided within the first twenty minutes.

The Amsterdam side entered the contest with high intensity, creating early opportunities through Jorthy Mokio and Wout Weghorst. Even as Heracles attempted to stay compact, the pressure mounted quickly, leading to a decisive breakthrough in the 16th minute.

The Opening Blitz

Mika Godts provided the moment of magic to break the deadlock. Seizing on a hesitant touch from Heracles goalkeeper Remko Pasveer—a former Ajax player—Godts showed composure beyond his years, delicately chipping the ball over the advancing keeper to make it 1-0.

The lead was doubled less than sixty seconds later. Wout Weghorst, leading the attack for Ajax, connected with a header that set up Steven Berghuis. Following a quick one-two, Berghuis finished calmly to double the advantage, leaving the home side stunned by the rapid succession of goals.

For global followers of the Ajax squad, Godts’ performance continues to highlight the club’s investment in young talent. The 20-year-old Belgian, who wears the number 11 shirt, has transitioned from a promising prospect at Genk to a key creative force in the Eredivisie.

Second-Half Dominance and the Red Card

Ajax maintained their control after the interval. Shortly after the restart, a slick passing sequence allowed Steven Berghuis to find the net for a second time. Again, hesitation from Pasveer played a role, as Berghuis slotted home to make it 3-0 and seal the result against a Heracles side sitting at the bottom of the table.

Despite the scoreline, Ajax continued to push for more. Both Wout Weghorst and Mika Godts tested the woodwork, illustrating the gulf in confidence between the two sides. Heracles coach Ernest Faber appeared powerless to stop the onslaught, with his team offering little response throughout the match.

The only significant blemish on an otherwise perfect evening occurred in the closing stages. Substitute Takehiro Tomiyasu was sent off following a VAR review after bringing down Lequincio Zeefuik, who had broken through on goal. While the red card left Ajax with ten men for the final minutes, it did not jeopardize the result.

Player Spotlight: The Rise of Mika Godts

Mika Marcel Godts is rapidly becoming a focal point of the Ajax attack. Born in Leuven, Belgium, and developed through the youth systems of Anderlecht and Genk, Godts joined Ajax on January 31, 2023. The transfer involved a reported fee of €1 million plus a sell-on clause.

His journey to the first team was steady, beginning with Jong Ajax where he made a goal-scoring debut in February 2023. Now a regular in the senior setup and a member of the Belgium national team—earning two caps as of March 31, 2026—Godts’ ability to exploit goalkeeper errors and his technical precision were on full display in Almelo.

The tactical setup for this match saw coach adjustments in the starting eleven, with Ko Itakura and Oscar Gloukh starting in place of Sean Steur and Oliver Edvardsen, while Kasper Dolberg remained an unused substitute.

Key Match Details

• Final Score: Heracles Almelo 0-3 Ajax
• Venue: Asito Stadium, Almelo
• Scorers: Mika Godts (16′), Steven Berghuis (17′, 46′)
• Key Event: Takehiro Tomiyasu (Ajax) sent off in closing stages
• Heracles Lineup Note: Featured former Ajax players Remko Pasveer and Naci Ünüvar

This victory keeps Ajax moving forward in the Eredivisie, maintaining their momentum as they eye top-flight objectives. For Heracles, the loss underscores a period of struggle and a lack of confidence under Ernest Faber.

What’s Next

Ajax will now turn their attention to their upcoming fixtures. They are scheduled to face NAC Breda on April 25, 2026, at 14:00 local time.

Do you think Mika Godts is now a locked-in starter for Ajax? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.