Ajax will consider themselves unlucky not to be taking a lead to Turin next week after dominating Juventus at the Johan Cruijff ArenA.
Match Report
David Neres cancelled out Cristiano Ronaldo's header as Ajax and Juventus played out an absorbing 1-1 draw in their Champions League quarter-final first leg on Wednesday.
Ronaldo – fit to feature after recovering from a thigh injury suffered on international duty with Portugal last month – put the visitors ahead on the stroke of half-time, striding into the penalty area before throwing himself at a cross to thunder a header beyond goalkeeper Andre Onana.
That lead lasted less than a minute of the second period, however, as Neres curled home his third Champions League goal of the campaign – a leveller that was the very least Erik ten Hag's side deserved for a display full of energy and attacking intent.
Donny van de Beek and Hakim Ziyech will reflect on missed opportunities that could have given the Eredivisie side an advantage ahead of the return fixture in Italy, though Juve could have snatched an undeserved win in the closing stages when substitute Douglas Costa hit the post.
Match Events
2' CHANCE! Bernardeschi's shot over the bar
Bernardeschi charges towards the edge of the box and unleashes a powerful, swerving effort towards the top-left corner. It rises just over the top with Onana at full stretch!
18' NICE TRY! Ziyech's shot saved
Ajax overload the right flank as Neres comes across and play some really intricate football before setting up Ziyech just inside the box to curl towards the top-left corner, but Szczesny is able to palm it behind for a corner!
25' CLOSE! Van der Beek's shot wide out
All of a sudden, Ajax spring to life and carve their way in on the right. It's worked to Van de Beek in the middle, but the midfielder takes a slightly heavy touch.
He still manages to wrap his foot around it and bend it towards the top-left corner, but it flies narrowly wide! What a chance!
37' CLOSE! Bernardeschi's shot wide out
Sandro lofts the ball to the back post and Ajax can't deal with Ronaldo's physicality. He knocks it down for Bernardeschi, who swivels and shoots, but the Italian fires wide of goal from close range!
45' GOAL! Ajax 0-1 Juventus (Ronaldo)
Juventus have been growing back into the game and who else could it be but Ronaldo! Cancelo dinks a lovely ball into the box and Ronaldo ghosts in unmarked before diving to thump a header in that Onana gets a hand to, but can't keep out!
46' GOAL! Ajax 1-1 Juventus (Neres)
Neres produces a stunning solo strike moments after kick-off, drifting in from the left and curling a shot into the top-right corner past a sprawling Szczesny!
51' OFFSIDE! Neres's goal disallowed
Neres produces a stunning solo strike moments after kick-off, drifting in from the left and curling a shot into the top-right corner past a sprawling Szczesny!
52' No penalty! Bentancur pulled down in the box
A free-kick is curled cleverly in from the left and it's just ahead of Bentancur and Ronaldo before it goes behind for a goal-kick.
There's the suspicion that the Uruguayan midfielder was pulled down by Tagliafico to prevent him reaching the ball, but following a VAR check the referee waves play on.
85' CLOSE! Costa's shot hits the post
Costa's fresh legs see him skip away down the left and around Veltman with a lovely piece of skill, before charging into the box and smacking a low strike off the upright and out! Onana could only watch as the ball flew past him and came back off the far post!
chrisss1999
834
Ronaldo’s headshot is so dangerous as Messi’s left shot[Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
iwashere
505
Ronaldo's head only is worth millions
sagar007
471
Ronaldo the flying man
Trevorn
309
One thing that wasn't lacking in that stadium is energy. From the players to the fans. Then you guys was criticizing RM for being outplayed by Ajax. Look how they got Juventus. Little to no possession on the ball,all those key passes,Ajax is becoming a nightmare for all giant clubs. They totally deserved to win. Then that Brazilian David Neres, man of the match in my opinion. I don't expect juve to make the same mistakes RM did in the second leg tho so I still see them going into semi finals.
Neezy07
237
It is really a problem when some machine you announced called VAR to assist referee to make their decision clear and you just don’t see the foul. What do you think about that foul to Rugani? Anyway great match.
Crunch_Salama
233
Last time Ajax drew 0-0 home they won their away game at Madrid If you know what I mean 😂😂
usefull
215
Cristiano Ronaldo is now the joint-top goalscorer of Champions League goals at the Johan Cruijff Arena with six goals (level with Zlatan Ibrahimovic).
Amanda-
168
Allegri is juventus biggest problem. How the hell does he always play useless Mandzukic and playing defensively . At a point in the game , Ronaldo became the coach telling the boys what to do, while Allegri stood stupidly. Juventus are more dangerous Attacking but useless Allegri plays defensively always. This game is far from over. That Ajax team is very young and talented so Juventus needs to start costa because of his speed. By the way , what kinda stupid coach plays Mandzukic always when you got, costa , Dybala and Kean . Allegri must go for five seasons he only knows how to win the local league. Time for a new coach at Juventus. I wish Juventus all the best but it won’t be easy and may probably be more easier because by then Ronaldo will be inform . He lacks 100% fitness at the moment yet he was still dangerous and scored his 5th champions league goal of the season. Allegri give me high blood with his stupid style of play . It will be absolutely dangerous to play defensively at Juventus stadium next week Tuesday because this Ajax team doesn’t give a damn if they are home or away. My problem has always been Allegri team selections and style of play. Juventus got the team to win this champions league but they don’t have a coach. I guess they will trynna do it on thier own .
VanishPrasad
138
Full time at the other game: Ajax 1-1 Juventus. Frenkie de Jong's performance: 98 passes 92% pass accuracy 2 key passes 1 dribble won 6 tackles won 3 interceptions 1 clearance 1 aerial won Maestro. World class talent.
Jayabeilmu
85
Next game juve will dominate. We’ve seen juve always do okay the first match but second game juve will become dangerous and it’s gonna be in their stadium
Rikabmsty
70
how does the defense from ajax leave a player like cr7 alone in front of the net like that ,specifically cr7 ,theres no way on earth he will miss from there ,beautiful diving header but ajax dominated the game and a mistake like that could the difference in the end.
zaplorz
68
Real Madrid without Ronaldo Ajax got no fear, Juventus trying to scare Ajax with Ronaldo the results is draw (1-1) Ajax is giving problems like Wolves. Ok simple, let's wait for Juventus home ground But If AJAX = WOLVES Then the second leg is giving us unknown results. That's how it should be solved without using calculator. (PROOF)
yesabcisty
10
Ronaldo’s headshot is so dangerous as Messi’s left shot[Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
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Messi’s creativity is better than the whole Manchester United team