Both Santi Giménez and Edson Álvarez find the net in ‘De Klassiker’

Both Mexican stars Santiago Giménez and Edson Álvarez were in action today as the nation stopped for ‘De Klassiker’ as Ajax Amsterdam faced their eternal rival Feyenoord Rotterdam with the result instrumental in possibly determining the outcome of the 2022-23 Eredivisie.

The visitors took the lead in the fifth minute of the contest when the former Cruz Azul striker beat his marker and after receiving the ball slotted home with a deft touch to leave the Ajax goalkeeper without a chance. Gimenez has now netted 16 league, Dutch Cup and UEFA Europa League goals for Feyenoord this season.

Alvarez replies

Ajax replied in the 17th minute when the former Club América man rose well to nod home from a corner kick to tie the contest to the delight of home fans.

The joy for the Ajax faithful was short-lived however, despite taking a 2-1 lead, two second half goals from Symaniksi and Geertruida saw the Rotterdam based club secure their first De Klassiker win in Amsterdam since 2005 and even more importantly the victory helped Arne Slot’s side to open a six point gap at the top of the table with just eight games remaining in the season.

Both clubs meet again in the semi-final of the Dutch Cup in early April with Feyenoord anxious to secure a possible treble with the De Stadionclub still involved in the Europa League.

Alvarez and Gimenez have been both called up for the Mexican national team by new head coach Diego Cocca and could be involved in the Concacaf Nations League games against Suriname and Jamaica. Edson Álvarez was called up and played in the Qatar 2022 World Cup while Giménez was left out of the final call by former coach Tata Martino.