One result towers above the rest: the biggest win in Ajax history. In this article, QuackGoal will escort you through that unforgettable victory, compare it to other historic highs, and explore what it meant for the club’s identity and legacy.
The towering 14–0 and 1–14 victories: continental statements
Ajax’s history is speckled with gargantuan wins across competitions. But two matches sit at the very apex of scoring annihilation. In September 1984, Ajax hammered Red Boys Differdange 14–0 in a UEFA Cup tie, a performance that remains among their highest-scoring European nights in official matches. Similarly, in December 2009, Ajax stunned WHC Wezep in the Dutch cup with a 14–1 scoreline (i.e. Ajax scored 14, opponent 1), a huge margin even in domestic cup competition.
These victories, though less well-remembered by casual fans, often appear in club record lists under “largest victories.” Today, many statisticians cite those results as Ajax’s absolute top margins in official matches.
Still, those wild routs came in cup or European settings—not in the Eredivisie. And in the domestic league, Ajax’s largest-ever win had traditionally been the 12–1 beating of Vitesse in May 1972. edia]) That scoreline stood for decades as the benchmark for Ajax’s biggest single-match dominance within the Dutch top flight.
But football, like life, never stays static.
The 0–13 victory over VVV-Venlo: rewriting club and league history
The match in brief
On 24 October 2020, Ajax traveled to De Koel in Venlo to face VVV-Venlo in the Eredivisie. The result was merciless: 0–13. Ajax ran over their hosts. All 13 goals were scored inside just 66 minutes—an avalanche of attacking execution.
Jurgen Ekkelenkamp opened the scoring in the 12th minute. Then Lassina Traoré struck, scoring twice in quick succession, with Dusan Tadić also getting in on the fun before the break. After halftime, the goals simply poured in, with Traoré finishing off a five-goal haul and several other attackers joining the party. VVV’s Christian Kum was shown a red card in the 52nd minute after a VAR review, further unbalancing the contest.
This was not just Ajax’s biggest Eredivisie win, it was also the largest margin ever recorded in the league’s history. The 13-goal difference eclipsed the old shop-worn 11-goal gap from the 12–1 Vitesse game.
Why it became the biggest win
- Margin of victory: 13 goals is the largest difference Ajax has ever posted in a league match. None of their prior wins matched that gulf.
- League record: It set a new record for the largest-ever margin in the Dutch top flight, surpassing not only Ajax’s own 12–1, but all past blowouts in the league.
- Efficiency: 13 goals in about 66 minutes speaks to ruthless precision rather than mere time domination.
- Historical context: Achieving that scoreline in a modern professional era, under greater parity and more checks & balances (tactics, fitness, defensive organization), gives it extra weight beyond past blowouts in less competitive eras.
Thus, while Ajax may lay claim to 14–0 or 14–1 margins across cup/European matches, the 0–13 vs VVV-Venlo stands as the definitive biggest win in Ajax history — especially among league matches and in modern memory.
Other notable huge wins: a comparative look
To fully appreciate how exceptional this 13–0 demolition was, here are some of Ajax’s largest victories across all competitions:
| Scoreline | Competition | Opponent | Year | Notes / significance |
| 14–0 | UEFA Cup | Red Boys Differdange | 1984 | Ajax’s highest recorded in European competition |
| 14–1 | KNVB Cup | WHC Wezep | 2009 | Cup rout, reflects depth in domestic fixtures |
| 13–0 | Eredivisie (league) | VVV-Venlo | 2020 | Record margin in Ajax’s league history |
| 12–1 | Eredivisie (league) | Vitesse | 1972 | Previous record before 2020 |
| 11–0 | Tweede Klasse West-A | ZVV Zaandijk | 1916 | Historical lower-tier success |
| 10–0 | KNVB Cup / Eredivisie | Rapiditas / other | multiple years | Common large-margin wins in cup rounds |
These results reflect Ajax’s historical dominance over weaker sides, especially in cup draws or early rounds, but none match the league performance or margin of the 13–0 game in modern play.
In European play, 14–0 is stunning, but often comes vs minnows or early-round ties — not in later, competitive rounds. In domestic knockout cups, 14–1 shows depth and rotation strength; but league status, regular competition, and consistency give the 13–0 more gravitas among fans and historians.
Legacy and impact of the 13–0 boom
A statement of dominance
The 2020 rout over VVV-Venlo sent a signal to rest of Eredivisie and Europe: Ajax’s attacking philosophy still burns bright. Under coach Erik ten Hag, the club showed that dominance, when aimed at precision and aggression, can erupt at any moment.
Psychological boost and morale
For players, such a victory boosts confidence enormously. Young talents like Traoré (who scored five) cemented their belief they belong. For opposition sides, it becomes a cautionary tale — how do you face a team capable of crushing margins like that?
Stat records and club memory
This match now sits atop record lists across club and league statistics pages. Future fans will stumble on the 13–0 when browsing Ajax’s greatest victories archives. It also redefines internal benchmarks: when fans reflect “Ajax’s most dominant wins,” nothing else truly competes.
Legacy versus the 14–0 European blowout
Some might argue the 14–0 European match is “bigger” in raw number. But in terms of context, prestige, and competitive integrity, the 13–0 in the league often carries more emotional weight for fans. That’s likely why it features more heavily in fan memory, club halls of fame, and media references to Ajax’s “biggest win in history.”
Frequently asked questions
Q: Does Ajax have any larger win beyond 13–0?
Not in a league match. The only larger margins (14–0, 14–1) came in cup or European contests, not in the regular domestic league.
Q: Who scored in the 13–0 game?
Lassina Traoré scored five goals; Dušan Tadić, Jurgen Ekkelenkamp, and other attackers joined the tally.
Also, VVV was reduced to 10 men midway, reducing resistance.
Q: How long did the scoring take?
All 13 goals came within 66 minutes—remarkably efficient, relentless attacking.
Q: How do fans view this match?
Widely as a historic moment — not just for the margin, but for reaffirming Ajax’s identity as an offensive powerhouse even in the modern era.
Final Thoughts
The biggest win in Ajax history is not just a number on a scoresheet — it’s a vivid statement of identity, philosophy, and supremacy. While Ajax’s 14–0 and 14–1 wins remain jaw-dropping in cup and continental contexts, the 0–13 thrashing of VVV-Venlo in the Eredivisie is the crowning mark in league play. It stands as the standard by which all other blowouts are measured.
At QuackGoal, we believe knowing these legendary matches connects fans across generations. If you enjoyed this dive into Ajax’s historic highs, stick around — upcoming articles will cover the greatest comebacks, worst defeats, and profiles of the very players who starred in these nights. Check our archive, drop a comment with your memory of that 13–0 game, and explore more.
