BY Jonathan Ledger
Real Madrid, reigning Uefa Champions League winners, scored two momentous goals- including a late winner- to defeat an impressive but inexperienced Ajax at the Amsterdam Arena in Holland.
The back-to-back UCL defending Champions started both Bale and Brazilian wonderkid, Vinicius Junior together, while Ajax’s starting line-up had six 21-year-olds.
The youthful Ajax dominated the early exchanges, harrying Real Madrid and winning possession high up the pitch on several occasions, but composed, last-ditch defending from Ramos and co. kept Ajax away.
Most of the home side’s dominance was due to the defending Champions being content to playing on the counter in an attempt to snuff out Ajax’s early adrenalin, but they also fashioned two chances of their own in the process. Bale’s tame shot was straight at Onana, while Vinicious Jnr’s shot required an acrobatic save from the Cameroonian shot-stopper.
Los Merengues controlled the game from the 20th minute onward but this young Ajax side, which didn’t stop pressing and harrying, was almost rewarded with the opener. Miguel Reguilon’s pass was intercepted and Dusan Tadic’s put through, but the Serbian forward’s half volley hit the bar.
On a night Ajax legends Patrick Kkuivert, Clarence Seedorf and Rafael van der Vaart were present to watch these youngsters dominate a Madrid midfield of Luka Modric, the best player in the world, and dependable duo Toni Kroos and Casemiro, the Lancers scored a goal which was dramatically overturned by the VAR system.
Moments after brilliantly saving Ziyech’s shot, Courtois spilled a tame Mathias de Ligt header and Nicholas Tagliafico headed into the net for a supposed lead. However, the video assistant referee pulled play back and after assessing via the on-field screen, referee Damir Skomina disallowed the goal for a supposed foul on Courtois by Tadic, much to the consternation of the home spectators.
Benzema was non-existent in the first half but had the first shot of the second, working Onana to save a low curling shot at his near post, and the first goal arrived on the hour.
Modric wriggled out of a tight press, found Reguillon who fed Vinicius in space. The electric 18-year-old left one defender on his side as he attacked Ajax’s box with pace, evaded another two and teed up Benzema who slammed his shot beyond Onana for his 60th UCL goal and with it, an unlikely Real Madrid lead.
Despite the disappointment, Ajax responded well and equalized fifteen minutes later through Hakim Ziyech. The Moroccan striker swept in David Needs’ low cross to wild jubilations in the stadium.
Real Madrid are known to find a way of winning in Europe despite not playing to their best, and Marco Asensio delivered the winner on 88 minutes. The substitute stabbed home at the far post after a swift counter freed Dani Cavarjal to put in the cross.
Ajax, despite playing so well, have now failed to win 13 of 15 matches against Spanish opposition and will need to do just that in the return leg at Santiago Bernabeu in three weeks.
RESULTS
Tottenham 3-0 Borussia Dortmund
AFC Ajax 1-2 Real Madrid
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