AMSTERDAM (AFP) - Lucas Moura's last-gasp strike took Tottenham Hotspur to the Champions League final for the first time in their history on Wednesday (May 8), completing his hat-trick and sealing an incredible 3-2 win over Ajax to leave the Dutch side heartbroken.
Ajax's improbable European run seemed set to go on all the way to the final, as they led 3-2 on aggregate deep in stoppage time in the second leg of the semi-final at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
That was when the ball broke to Moura in the box and the Brazilian sent a low shot beyond the despairing dive of Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana to seal their comeback, making it 3-2 to them on the night, 3-3 on aggregate, and taking Mauricio Pochettino's men through on away goals.
The Ajax players slumped to the turf, their fans stunned, as they go out and Spurs advance to face fellow comeback kings Liverpool in an all-English final in Madrid on June 1.
Leading 1-0 after the first leg, the thrilling young Dutch side appeared to have killed the tie after captain Matthijs de Ligt and Hakim Ziyech both scored in the first half here.
That left Tottenham needing a comeback to match that of Liverpool against Barcelona the previous night, but in an even shorter amount of time.
A quickfire brace by Moura early in the second half gave them something to cling to, before he struck the decisive blow, denying Ajax a first final since 1996.
Erik ten Hag's team, who had already eliminated the holders, Real Madrid, and Cristiano Ronaldo's Juventus this season, were applauded by their devastated fans at full-time and must now somehow lift themselves to try to win the Dutch title.
Â
Â
Â
They had been dealt a blow just minutes before kick-off when Brazilian winger David Neres pulled out of their starting line-up after the warm-up, his place taken by the young Dane, Kasper Dolberg.
Whirlwind start
That last-minute switch did not perturb the Dutch club, though. Far from it. Dusan Tadic moved to the left wing, and Ajax set about tearing into their opponents right from the off, just as they had done in the first leg.
They won a corner after Hugo Lloris stretched to his left to beat away a Tadic shot, and from the delivery that followed from Lasse Schoene, De Ligt rose to head home a fifth-minute opener.
Spurs - without Harry Kane but with Son Heung-min back after missing the first leg due to suspension - threatened an immediate reply as a Son cross hit the near post, but Ajax escaped and came again, a Tadic shot that fizzed just past the far post acting as a prelude for what was to follow in the 35th minute.
This time Tadic, the former Southampton player, cut the ball back for Ziyech, whose first-time shot on his left foot flew into the far corner from a difficult angle.
It was a wonderful goal, and it had surely killed the tie.
Spurs fans were understandably subdued, and they would not have harboured too much hope in Fernando Llorente as the big striker replaced Victor Wanyama for the second half.
Yet, the way Pochettino's side came back out after half-time echoed what Liverpool had done at Anfield 24 hours earlier.
They scored their first in the 55th minute, Moura combining with Alli and slotting low past Onana.
Â
Â
Four minutes after that, Onana made an improbable save from Llorente's effort inside the six-yard box, but the ball came back to Moura and the Brazilian turned and managed to find a corner.
He wheeled away in celebration, all too aware that Tottenham were now just one goal away from completing the turnaround.
With such tension, Ajax no longer appeared so liberated, but Ziyech twice nearly scored again, grazing the post with a first-time shot and then hitting the same upright in the 79th minute.
Jan Vertonghen hit the bar at the other end, but just when it looked like Ajax would hang on, Moura delivered the killer blow.
Sichuan Jiuniu, its latest addition, are based in the western Chinese metropolis of Chengdu, and play their home games at the Chengdu Longquanyi Football Stadium. Chinese football was buoyed by an influx of funds and foreign stars after President Xi Jinping, who visited Manchester City in 2015, outlined ambitions to turn the world's most
Feisty encounter expected between Home United and Young Lions
Former Manchester United coach Jose Mourinho fell as he presented a symbolic face-off at a Russian hockey match Mourinho humiliated by fall at Russian hockey league face-off The two-time
Mourinho humiliated by fall at Russian hockey league face-off
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is a new benchmark in global stadium design, offering one of the finest spectator experiences in the world and, by incorporating a fully retractable pitch, becoming the first purpose-built home for the NFL in Europe.
Tottenham Hot Spurs at Amazon | Top Songs from 59p
AD
Suspended Thierry Henry set to lose Monaco job Jardim, who was sacked himself last October and replaced by Henry, was expected to be unveiled as the manager on Friday after agreeing terms on a two
Suspended Henry set to lose Monaco job - Reuters
"We are delighted to announce that the First Team squad will travel to Singapore and Shanghai as part of our pre-season tour in July in preparation for the 2019/20 season," the club announced on
Tottenham to visit Singapore in July, Latest Football News
England soccer captain Harry Kane received the MBE award on Thursday for services to football after leading the national team to the World Cup semi-final in Russia last Summer, according to Reuters. Prince William, the president of the English Football Association, presented
England soccer captain Harry Kane is made an MBE (Member of
The Netherlands will not be lulled into a false sense of security when they face a struggling, new-look Germany in their Euro 2020 qualifier in Amsterdam on Sunday, captain Virgil van Dijk has said.
Dutch not favourites against struggling Germany - Van Dijk
Jun 06, 2019 · Players, both American and international, who will be worth watching at the World Cup in France: Julie Ertz — Now playing in the midfield, she is the link between the Americans' offense and defense.
Players to watch in France - straitstimes.com
Neil Warnock says Emiliano Sala tragedy most difficult week
Football: Liverpool's miracle comeback trumps Spurs', say
Fifa's Sepp Blatter calls on Iran to end stadium ban for women - The Guardian (March 6, 2015) Asia's elite group finalised - FIFA (February 19, 2015) Iran, Chile friendly in Austria confirmed - IRIB (February 15, 2015) Iran's national soccer team moves up in FIFA ranking - Press TV (February 12, 2015) Asian Cup
Iran dodges Asian Football Confederation sanction, football
Guardiola to make late decision on Silva for Palace trip. 2 Min Read. FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Fulham v Manchester City - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - March 30, 2019
Football: Guardiola to make late decision on Silva for Palace
Football: Fandi Ahmad coy on SEA Games rule of two overaged
Sacked Puel says managing Leicester a 'honour' "It was my honour to work for the late and much-loved Khun Vichai, who gave me the fantastic opportunity to manage his club and share some great
Claude Puel pays to tribute to former Leicester City owner
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen