AMSTERDAM (AFP) - Real Madrid needed a late winner from Marco Asensio and VAR's debut in the Champions League to beat a spirited Ajax 2-1 in the first leg of the last 16 on Wednesday (Feb 13).
Ajax have not beaten Madrid in 24 years and thought they were on their way at the Johan Cruyff Arena when Nicolas Tagliafico headed home after a Thibaut Courtois error.
But referee Damir Skomina judged Dusan Tadic to be offside upon review and Madrid showed no pity on their youthful opponents, Karim Benzema and Asensio scoring two precious away goals in the second half.
Hakim Ziyech's equaliser at least keeps Ajax in touch heading into the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu but Asensio's 87th-minute winner was a sucker-punch in a match the Dutch team had largely dominated.
Their ruled out opener will likely only add to the sense of what might have been and it was no surprise to see a cluster of red and white shirts surrounding the officials at the final whistle.
VAR has been introduced to the Champions League for the first time in this year's knock-out stages and leaflets were distributed to the media before kick-off, one of the points explaining that reviews should only be made for "clear and obvious mistakes".
Tadic's intervention on Courtois was minimal and even if he was just offside, it seemed generous to judge he had made enough of an impact on the goalkeeper to be penalised.
Still, there was more than an hour to play and Ajax were twice too easily undone on the counter-attack. Frenkie de Jong, who will join Barcelona in the summer, and Matthijs de Ligt, who could follow him, were each dealt a harsh lesson in the ruthlessness of top European football.
Gareth Bale was reinstated to the Madrid starting line-up but there was no place for Marcelo, who missed his first Champions League knock-out game in four years.
TADIC HITS POST
Ajax fans had put on an impressive display of fireworks late on Tuesday night outside the Spanish team's hotel and perhaps it paid off because Madrid were run ragged in the first half.
Courtois skewed an early clearance, Casemiro miscontrolled and Bale swung a frustrated kick at De Jong's shin.
Tadic had the first chance as Sergio Reguilon's poor pass was headed into his path, a sliced finish beating Courtois' right hand but not the post.
The best opportunity fell to the excellent Donny van de Beek, after the ball was shifted along the line like a rugby move until the midfielder was left spare six yards out. Courtois saved with his legs.
Hero one minute, villain the next, Courtois then fumbled De Ligt's header from the corner and Tagliafico headed in. There was no protest from Courtois but Skomina pointed to his earpiece. Tadic had brushed past Courtois as the header looped in and was deemed offside.
The crowd jeered at half-time and Benzema compounded their misery soon after. It was a goal to sum up Madrid's resurgence in recent weeks as Luka Modric flicked a ball for Vinicius Junior to race after. He tore past one, jinked inside two more and teed up Benzema, who found the top corner.
Ajax refused to fade. David Neres and Tadic both went close before Neres skipped free down the left and crossed for Ziyech to slide in the equaliser. Madrid wanted a free-kick for a foul on Lucas Vazquez in the build-up but this time the goal stood.
A draw might have appeased the home fans but they were denied even that as a slick move through midfield freed Dani Carvajal down the right. His cross found Asensio, who could not miss.
LONDON—Investigators searching for a lost plane carrying Premier League soccer player Emiliano Sala said on Jan. 30 that
Plane cushions found in search for missing soccer player Sala
PARIS (AFP) - Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian captain Thiago Silva has been granted French citizenship, he announced on Twitter on Friday (March 15).. Read more at straitstimes.com.
PSG captain Thiago Silva receives French citizenship
Ryan Giggs has responded to Zlatan Ibrahimovic's criticism of the "Class of 92" by insisting players with "over 2,000 games between us" are entitled to have an opinion.
Ryan Giggs hits back at Zlatan Ibrahimovic's Class of '92
West Ham's Michail Antonio speaking to Sky Sports: It is beautiful. We came here and put ourselves in history and it is only right West Ham did it. They are a big rival for us, it goes way back so
Tottenham vs West Ham: Michail Antonio scores winner as Spurs
Liverpool needed more late goals to move top of the Premier League once more as Mohamed Salah and Jordan Henderson struck in the final 10 minutes to earn a 3-1 victory at Southampton on Friday.
Liverpool beat Southampton 3-1 to return to top of Premier
Arsenal manager Unai Emery has been fined £8,000 by the Football Association for kicking a bottle which hit a Brighton fan during last week's Premier League match between the sides.
Arsenal boss Emery fined £8,000 for kicking water bottle
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admitted his side cannot meet the heights of Manchester City's football, but they may still win the title. We do it our way, says Klopp after another late
We do it our way, says Klopp after another late Liverpool win
Weary feet to blame for England's fall, Football News & Top
Soccer Football - Premier League - Newcastle United v Fulham - St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain - December 22, 2018 Fulham's Tim Ream in action with Newcastle United's DeAndre Yedlin Action Image
Football news - Fulham dig deep to deny Newcastle and earn
Advertisement MANCHESTER, Mar 9: Pep Guardiola is confident his achievements at Manchester City will not be tarnished by UEFA's investigation into alleged Financial Fair Play (FFP) breaches and trusted the club to resolve the matter, the Spanish manager said on Friday.
Premier League investigates Man City over FFP allegations
Arnautovic ends drought as West Ham sink Saints May 4th, 2019 Reuters News Service Football , Premier League , Sport 0 comments West Ham's Marko Arnautovic, who had last found the net on Jan. 2
0 comments:
Post a Comment