Ajax through to the knockout stages

It was quite an interesting and entertaining game last night in the UEFA champions league as Ajax became the first Dutch side to win their opening four UEFA Champions League group stage games and also qualifying for the knockout stages after coming from a goal down to beat Borussia Dortmund 3-1 away from home.

source

Borussia Dortmund started the encounter with full force and determination, as they looked to avenge the humiliating 4-0 defeat they suffered against Ajax on matchday three with the aim of securing all three points.

The host with their quick response in the game, saw them not utilize their chances with two missed headers in the first ten minutes of the game, with Hummels guiding Julian Brandt’s free-kick over the bar, before Jude Bellingham nodded wide of the empty Ajax goal and failed to put the home in front.

Despite Dortmund impressive start and quality style of play with majority of those in attendance to witness the game would have been pleased with Dortmund’s start, but however, their mood soon changed in the 29th minute, when Hummels was shown a red card for a dangerous tackle on Anthony, following a VAR review check.

The hosts despite having a man sent off still demonstrated great fortitude, as they continued to show attacking intent and efforts to score as they never relent in the game with 10 men.

source

With the host mounting more pressure on ajax, in the 37th minute, they were presented with their best opportunity of the game. After checking the VAR, referee Michael Oliver ruled that Noussair Mazraoui fouled Bellingham within the 18 yard box and duly pointed to the penalty spot. It was no other than Marcos Reus who step forward to take the kick and did no mistake by putting the ball into the bottom corner to give the German side the lead at half time.

The second half also started in a good note as Dortmund threatened early in the second period to double the lead but failed to convert it, when Bellingham gained the ball out of the air before unleashing a fine strike, which flew over Remko Pasveer’s crossbar denying the Germans a second goal in the game.

As the second half progressed with both team displaying fine effort with chances to score, it was Ajax this time that began to assert their control on proceedings, with the hosts doing their best to cope with one-man disadvantage as the visitors began to threaten.

source

With just 20 minutes left to play, Dortmund’s effort was finally broken, as Ajax drew level when Dušan Tadić arrived at the back post to poke home Anthony’s deflected cross to make it 1-1 in the 72nd minutes.

source

After equalizing, the visitors took full advantage with Sébastien Haller superbly nodding home Anthony’s perfect cross, to score his seventh goal of the group stage and also putting Ajax in front for the first time in the game.

source

Despite the comeback, the win was given extra gloss in stoppage time as Davy Klaassen makes it 3-1 for the visitors from close range to claim a remarkable victory away from home and also qualifying for the knockout stages.