Ajax, a fierce opponent whose late-season collapse could not be averted by a victory in the final round, lost to PSV Eindhoven, the Dutch champion, in one of Europe's most spectacular and tumultuous title chases.
With Ajax playing and winning their match at the same time, PSV maintained their championship by defeating Sparta Rotterdam 3-1. United States player Malik Tillman scored the third goal to calm any anxieties.
Even though Ajax defeated FC Twente 2-0 at home, the Amsterdam team finished one point behind PSV, even though they had a nine-point advantage with five games left.
After that, Ajax embarked on a four-game losing streak that comprised two draws and two losses. This epic collapse made it possible for PSV to dramatically close the gap and win their 26th Eredivisie championship.
Another PSV striker, Luuk de Jong, hoisted the league trophy on Sunday at Sparta Stadion in front of jubilant teammates, including another American, defender Sergiño Dest, and ticker tape. They may still be incredulous.
When the reigning champions fell down by 2 goals after ten minutes against third-place Feyenoord last Sunday, PSV's hopes of winning the championship appeared to be all but gone. Before Noa Lang's goal in the 9th minute of stoppage time clinched a 3-2 victory, the score was 2-2.
After that, Ajax lost badly to mid-table NEC Nijmegen 3-0 at home, which led to further dramatic events on Wednesday. At Groningen, Ajax let away a goal in the 9th minute of stoppage time to draw 2-2.
For the first time since February, PSV, under the leadership of former Ajax coach Peter Bosz, was in first place by a single point, and it remained there.
In their debut season under 36-year-old coach Francesco Farioli, who wanted to guide the team to a record-extending 37th Eredivisie title, PSV took advantage of Ajax's stuttering play by winning their last seven games.
Following the game, Farioli broke down in tears. A video that went viral on social media showed Ajax striker Wout Weghorst swatting away a camera from an operator who the player believed had got too near to the dejected players as they stood in front of their supporters.
Weghorst stated that he saw her in tears and came to her, and that it was an emotional moment.
Ajax midfielder Jordan Henderson congratulated PSV, adding that it was tough they didn't make it, but that no one expected this before the season started.
Ajax and PSV both automatically qualified for the prestigious Champions League the following season.