Tolu Arokodare announced himself on the UEFA Conference League stage in emphatic fashion, scoring and setting up a goal to hand Ajax a 2-0 victory over Atalanta in Thursday's group-stage clash.

The Super Eagles striker entered the fray in the 66th minute — his second appearance in the competition — and immediately shifted the momentum in Ajax's favour.

Arokodare breaks the deadlock

With the match finely balanced and neither side able to find a decisive opening, Arokodare took matters into his own hands in the 87th minute, drilling home to give Ajax the lead against a stubborn Atalanta defence.

The goal, arriving so late in the contest, left Atalanta with a mountain to climb. The Italian side pushed bodies forward in pursuit of an equaliser, committing numbers to attack and exposing space in behind.

Ouazane seals it in stoppage time

Ajax punished that ambition with ruthless efficiency. Deep into stoppage time, Arokodare turned provider, threading a pass to Abdellah Ouazane, who finished to make it 2-0 in the 93rd minute.

Atalanta continued to press until the final whistle, but Ajax's backline stayed organised, completing a clean sheet and wrapping up a commanding triumph.

The result underlines what Arokodare can offer from the bench — a dynamic, direct presence capable of deciding European ties when the game is still in the balance.