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.
Liverpool's Lovren unlikely to face Bayern, says Klopp FILE PHOTO: Liverpool's Dejan Lovren speaks with Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp at Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - Jan 7, 2019
Liverpool's Lovren unlikely to face Bayern, says Klopp
Ikhsan Fandi scored a winning overhead kick in the last minute of play to secure a 3-2 win for his team, Raufoss IL, on Sunday night, May 12, in Oslo, Norway. Five Raufoss IL players crammed into
Ikhsan Fandi - Player Profile 2019 | Transfermarkt
Malta were happy to sit back on the edge of their area and defend for most of the game, but the visitors found a way through in the 31st minute when Morata latched onto a long ball and sent his
Alvaro Morata double helps much-changed Spain ease past Malta
City and Liverpool leave chasing pack facing tough summer. By Reuters 16:53 12 May 2019 , updated 16 Tottenham's late-season Premier League collapse saw them go from outside title contenders
Soccer-City and Liverpool leave chasing pack facing tough
Jun 01, 2019 · The Reds made a goal from Mohamed Salah in the second minuted stand up for the entire match en route to the win. In final test before Women's World Cup, U.S. flexes depth in 3-0 win over Mexico.
World Cup - Four Reds in Quarter Final
Barca's Dembele back to training ahead of Man United clash. Published April 4, 2019 April 4, and Ousmane Dembele were back training with the group," the La Liga leaders said on their website.
Football: Barca's Dembele back training ahead of Man United
Result against Bayern Munich won't affect Premier League bid: Jurgen Klopp Liverpool are second in the standings with 73 points, one point behind defending champions Manchester City with eight matches remaining this season.
Liverpool result at Bayern Munich won't affect Premier League
Sports journalists and bloggers covering NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, MMA, college football and basketball, NASCAR, fantasy sports and more. News, photos, mock drafts, game
We lack rub of the green: Simeone. Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa arguing with referee Jesus Gil Manzano after he had been adjudged to have fouled Barcelona midfielder Arthur during the top
We lack rub of the green: Simeone - theworldnews.net
Spurs 'still in a dream' after Man City win, says Pochettino (Reuters) Spurs lost 4-3 in a classic encounter against City in Wednesday's quarter-final second leg, but went through on away goals
Spurs 'still in a dream' after Man City win, says Pochettino
" You need to give him the time, international Hasselbaink backed Sarri to eventually get things right and deliver success. Terms and Conditions including our Cookie Policy.For more
Chelsea urged to give Sarri time & trust - futaa.com
Headline Solskjaer confirms his contract in Norway has expired. Manchester United caretaker boss says he no longer has a deal with Molde. that he would return to Molde - but Solskjaer has
'I think the contract is expired' - United boss Solskjaer
Find live NCAA Football scores, NCAA Football player & team news, NCAA Football videos, rumors, stats, standings, team schedules and more on FOX Sports.
Barcelona could without the services of a number of first-team stars for Saturday's Copa del Rey final against Valencia, according to manager Ernesto Valverde. The Barca boss already had problems before Sunday's final day 2-2 draw against at Eibar with Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho amongst those absent from the squad.
Video: Malcom goal and assist for Barcelona vs Villarreal
Buffon calls on PSG to show 'spirit of sacrifice', Football
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen