Rounding off a their perfect record Ajax joined Juventus and Bayern Munich in next stage of the Champions League thanks to a 3-1 comeback against ten-man Borussia Dortmund.
Match Report
Ajax rallied late on with all goals coming into the last 18 minutes of play, goals from Dusan Tadic, Sebastien Haller and Davy Klaassen won it for Eric Ten Hag’s side after the hosts Dortmund without their injured talisman Erling Haaland had suffered a early setback leaving them a man down through the dismissal of Mats Hummels.and a goal up in an eventful first half.
An even tactical start to the game took a huge turn with half an hour gone when Mats Hummels was dismissed for a sliding challenge although controversial, it was upheld after a VAR review.
VAR continued to influence the first half referee Michael Oliver initially waved away the penalty appeals by Jude Bellingham, and then signalled for a VAR review, VAR decided penalty. Up stepped captain Marco Reus and he opened the scoring for Dortmund giving the 10 men hope.
Dortmund continued to frustrate Ajax who struggled to make the most of the man advantage during a sloppy second-half showing to their standards, but eventually the pressure succeeded and the goal did finally come from captain Tadic, the Serbian turned home a deep cross, although with pleasure comes pain as Tadic collided with the woodwork winding himself in the process.
Tadic’ goal opened the floodgates as the resolve of the ten-man Dortmund’s who’s brave resistance finally came to a end, Man of the Match winner Antony picking up two late assists, firstly crossing for Haller to head home, swiftly followed by Klaassen who secured the game in injury time.
The result cements Ajax position at the top of Group C having won four from four and confirmed their place in the knockout stages.
Team Line Up
Dortmund: Kobel – Meunier, Hummels, Akanji – Wolf, Witsel, Bellingham, Hazard – Brandt, Reus (c) – Tigges
Subs: Hitz, Zagadou, Moukoko, Reinier, Malen, Passlack, Pongracic, Knauff, Raschl
Coach: Marco Rose
Ajax: Pasveer – Mazraoui, Timber, Martinez, Blind – Alvarez, Gravenberch – Antony, Berghuis, Tadic (c) – Haller
Subs: Gorter, Setford, Schuurs, Klaassen, Neres, Pereira, Rensch, Labyad, Kudus, Taylor, Daramy, Tagliafico
Coach: Erik ten Hag
Key: **Goalscorers is marked BOLD
** Red card marked with Strike through
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Feature image Credit Embed from Getty Images
Image Credit Embed from Getty Images
