Another history was made at this season's UCL semifinal as Tottenham Hotspurs qualified for the UEFA Champions League final for the 1st time ever after defeating Ajax Amsterdam 3-2 in an intriguing tie on the night and 3-3 on aggregate, having lost the 1st leg 0-1, advancing to the final on away goal rule. Spurs joined their English Premier League counterpart, Liverpool in the final to be played in Madrid. Spurs followed up an impressive quarter-final win over 1 of the tournament's favourite, Manchester City with another hard-fought win over giant-killers, Ajax.
Having witnessed a spectacular turn around victory by Liverpool over Barcelona at Anfield in the 1st semi-final match, Spurs can be forgiven for believing they can get the result needed to progress. But things did not go according to plans at 1st as they already went down 0-2 before half-time, but quick 2nd half substitution and the kind of fighting spirit that saw Spurs overcame City swayed the results deep into injury time.
AJAX:
Ajax Amsterdam of the Netherland needs no introduction in this year's UCL competition, their remarkable victories over 3-times defending champion, Real Madrid and then Juventus summed up their performances so far in the competition, and Ajax are achieving these results with a group of young lads led by Matthijs De Ligt and Frenkie De Jong. Ajax came into this 2nd leg tie the favourite and in form too, they have won their last 5 matches in all competition, scored 14 goals and conceded 5. Much has been said about their bravery and endurance, the could run all night, such as the strength that comes with youthfulness. Ajax had won the UCL 4 times in the past, 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1995, the quest for the 5th title remained well alive prior to the 2nd leg.
SPURS:
Mauricio Pochettino called on his players to match Ajax bravery if they are to progress into their 1st ever UCL final. Spurs needed to produce something special to overturn their 1-goal deficit against Ajax, and they had to do it still without Harry Kane. Spurs were on a back end of 3-straight defeats in all competition, and just 1 win(1 nil victory over Brighton) in last 6 matches and 5 losses Spurs certainly needed inspiration from somewhere. Talismanic South Korean, Heung-Min Son returned to the squad, so was the Belgium defender, Jan Vertonghen, who recovered from the concussion he suffered from the 1st leg.
MATCH DEFINING MOMENTS:
• 4' Ajax started like a house on fire, calling Spurs goalkeeper, Hugo Lloris to an early save from Dusan Tadic deflected the shot.
• 5' But they duly got their goal a minute later, Lasse Schoene in-swing corner was headed home by Matthijs De Ligh.
• 7' Spurs showed intent too, Heung-Min Son hit Ajax's post just 2 minutes after.
• 24' double saves in succession for Ajax goalkeeper, Andre Onana, first, Dele Alli put Son through on goal, but the Korean was denied by Onana, then, the Ajax goalkeeper denied Christian Eriksen too when he was played through on goal by Lucas Moura.
• 35' Ajax double their lead when Tadic's pass found Hakim Ziyech at the left side of Spurs box, the wide forward left-footed shot found the bottom right corner. The half finished with Ajax holding a 3 nil aggregate advantage over Spurs.
• 45' With the game slipping away from Spurs, manager, Mauricio Pochettino brought on Fernando Llorente for Victor Wanyama to add bite yo Spurs attack.
• 53' Spurs got close to getting a goal back when Alli and Eriksen combined for the former to drew a save from Onana.
• 55' But 2 minutes later, Spurs got the breakthrough, the pulled a goal back when Alli found Moura, and the little Brazilian obliged.
• 59' It was all Spurs at the moment, and Llorente nearly got the equalizer when he connected with a Kieran Trippier's square, but Onana's save was unassured as he spilt the ball which fell to Moura, Moura showed composure and quick feet before slotting home the equalizer.
• Spurs sensed their chance and kept probing and prowling Ajax goal for that all-important winner, with enough added time, it looked they were going to get their goal, they did in the added time.
• When the 4th official's board showed 5 minutes, the home fans showed their disapproval, and their fear was turned into despair in injury time of the added 5 minutes.
• 90+6' Dele Alli and Lucas Moura combined for the often time for the latter to score a decisive goal that broke Ajax's fateful heart, 2-3 it ended on the night, 3 all on aggregate.
Ajax's incredible fairy tale run came to an end, and partly have their selves to blame as they waste a handful of chances, Ziyech could have easily scored a hat-trick too but he fluffed his line. Spurs wouldn't care, they completely dominated the proceedings in the 2nd half as shown by the stats. 1st ever UCL final will live on Spurs fateful's memories. It is going to be an all-EPL final in the 2018-19 UCL final for the 1st time since Manchester United defeated Chelsea on Spot-kicks 11 years ago(2008).
Thank you all for your time.
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