Benfica & Ajax draw 2-2 – return leg to decide outcome

Benfica's Gilberto
Photo Credit: AP

Benfica and Ajax played out a 2-2 draw, on Wednesday, when they met at Estadio Do Sport Lisboa E Benfica. The hosts started the game having secured 2nd place in the group, with 8 points; Ajax, for their part, occupied 1st position in Group C, with 18 points. Benfica will be disappointed to have not made the most of their home advantage at this Champions League fixture, so the tie will have to be decided in the return leg at Amsterdam.

Ajax started well, with Dusan Tadic finding the net at the 18 minute mark. However, their lead was short-lived, as an equalizer from Sebastian Haller at the 26 minute mark, brought Benfica level. Ajax in turn, then responded, 29 minutes in increasing their lead with a second effort from Sebastian Haller, finalising the first half 1-2.

Benfica took the initiative in the second half, thanks to Roman Yaremchuk finding the net at the 72 minute mark and seeing the game end 2-2.

For Benfica, Roman Yaremchuk, Paulo Bernardo, Valentino Lazaro and Diogo Goncalves, came on for Everton, Adel Taarabt, Darwin Nunez and Gilberto. Ajax brought on Nicolas Tagliafico, Davy Klaassen and Devyne Rensch, to replace Daley Blind, Ryan Gravenberch and Noussair Mazraoui.

There were bookings for Darwin Nunez, Goncalo Ramos and Roman Yaremchuk from Benfica, and Noussair Mazraoui, Steven Berghuis and Antony, for Ajax.

This will be a very well received result for, on the back of a dismal draw in the first leg. It sets the stage for them well as they now move forward to the next stage of the Champions League.

Technical card:
Benfica:Odysseas Vlachodimos, Gilberto (Diogo Goncalves, min.90), Jan Vertonghen, Nicolas Otamendi, Alex Grimaldo, Rafa Silva, Adel Taarabt (Paulo Bernardo, min.85), Julian Weigl, Everton (Roman Yaremchuk, min.62), Darwin Nunez (Valentino Lazaro, min.90) and Goncalo Ramos
Ajax:Remko Pasveer, Noussair Mazraoui (Devyne Rensch, min.90), Lisandro Martinez, Jurrien Timber, Daley Blind (Nicolas Tagliafico, min.74), Edson Alvarez, Steven Berghuis, Ryan Gravenberch (Davy Klaassen, min.74), Sebastian Haller, Dusan Tadic and Antony
Stadium:Estadio Do Sport Lisboa E Benfica
Goals:Dusan Tadic (0-1, min. 18), Sebastian Haller (1-1, min. 26), Sebastian Haller (1-2, min. 29) and Roman Yaremchuk (2-2, min. 72)
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