Striker Darwin Nunez headed house a 77th-minute winner as Benfica grabbed a shock 1-0 victory away at Ajax Amsterdam on Tuesday to safe a shock Champions League quarter-final place.
The Uruguayan striker rose above the Ajax defence to attain from a free kick in a uncommon assault for the Portuguese membership, who put up a stout defensive efficiency on the Johan Cruyff Area to advance 3-2 on mixture.
Benfica’s veteran centre again pair of Jan Vertonghen and Nicolas Otamendi have been a defensive wall that Ajax have been unable to interrupt down, regardless of dominating possession and continuously attacking the guests’ objective.
The Dutch membership had gained all their group video games and, after a 2-2 draw within the first leg of the last-16 tie in Lisbon final month, have been anticipated to ease by to the final eight with house benefit within the second leg.
However their hopes of an prolonged run within the Champions League have been dropped at a sudden finish by Benfica, who’ve had a poor home season and flounder 12 factors from the summit of the Portuguese league.
Ajax peppered the Benfica objective within the first half on the finish of swift build-ups and a number of crosses into the penalty space, however received few of their efforts on course.
Teenager Ryan Gravenberch created a gap for himself with a powerful run however fired his Thirty sixth-minute shot simply over the crossbar in one of the best effort of the opening interval.
Ajax saved up the strain within the second half with Brazilian winger Antony having two good probabilities. He put a header vast and was then foiled by a late Vertonghen sort out.
Benfica’s one try on course got here after Ajax defender Edson Alvarez conceded a gentle free-kick.
Nunez rose excessive above Jurrien Timber and the on-rushing goalkeeper Andre Onana from the set piece to stun the house crowd.
Ajax might have equalised deep in stoppage time however Benfica goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos pulled off an outstanding cease to disclaim Brian Brobbey, though the Ajax substitute was then dominated offside.
Reuters
Kaynak: briturkish.com
