From bad to worse for Ajax! Struggling Eredivisie side lose to fourth-tier USV Hercules in the KNVB Cup courtesy of 93rd minute winner

The match saw Hercules take an early lead with Tim Pieters scoring in the 16th minute and adding a second goal in the 66th minute, to give the hosts a 2-0 advantage. Ajax fought back late in the game, with Brian Brobbey and Chuba Akpom netting goals after the 80th minute but a 93rd-minute winner from Mats Grotenbreg fired them to the last-16 at the expense of the Dutch giants.

Despite Ajax's dominance with 76% possession, 28 shots, and more shots on target than Hercules, they failed to capitalise on their opportunities. This marks Ajax's earliest exit from the KNVB Cup since the 1996-97 season, a stark contrast to their runner-up finish in the previous campaign.

Ajax manager John van 't Schip was absent on the sidelines on Thursday as he has flown to Australia for his son's wedding.

For one of the Netherlands' historically successful clubs, this season has been below their usual standards. They failed to advance from the Europa League group, winning only one of six matches, and currently sit fifth in the Eredivisie table, 23 points behind league leaders PSV.