Benfica – Ajax 2-2: Jaremcuk kept it alive against Ale

THE Sebastian Ale proved unstoppable and heading Odysseys Vlachodimosbut Benfica managed a draw 2-2 from Ajax to Benfica’s “Luz” for the Champions League round of 16.

The Dutch led with Dusan Tadic and perhaps the hosts equalized with an own goal from Ivory Coast striker Ale, who immediately took his blood back (it took a double effort to beat the Greek goalkeeper). The Portuguese responded with Roman Jaremtsuk in the second half and walked away with their heads held high, although the score could have been higher with goals from either side.

The pair’s qualifying ticket will be awarded in Amsterdam on March 15 without the greater significance of Ajax’s two away goals.

“Aiantas” entered the field more strongly and showed his good humor early on by pushing a large part of the field forward. The pressing caused many mistakes by the Lusitanians and in one of them Nusayr Mazraoui made a cross from the right and the unmarked Dusan Tadic scored in the 18th minute to make it 1-0.

The visitors had the upper hand, but an unfortunate moment put them 1-1 through Ale’s own goal in the 26th minute. The top striker of this year’s tournament was undeterred and three minutes later defeated Vlachodimos 2-1 with a double, scoring 11 goals in his seven games at the institution.

The goal kept momentum in favor of “Aiada”, who missed other opportunities and culminated in Enson Alvarez’s crossbar, with Ale taking the rebound and missing an empty goal.

The break came at just the right time for Benfica after interrupting Ajax’s pace, which was not continued in the opening minutes of the second half. Still, he got the upper hand, even if it was harder to get a good time.

The game was more balanced and apart from a stop by Vlachodimos in the foursome with Mazraoui, the hosts got closer to the goal. Gonzalo Ramos and Darwin Nounies lifted the spectators from their seats in the “Luz” until Roman Jaremtsuk made it 2-2 with a rebound after a Ramos shot.

In the last few minutes, Ajax finished off Benfica at home, turning the ball looking for gaps in defence, but didn’t find much of a chance save for a foul in the delay, which was impressively neutralized by Vlachodimos.

Benfica: Vlachodimos, Gilberto (90th + 1st Gonzalves), Otamendi, Vertonhen, Grimaldo, Silva, Weigl, Taarabt (85th Taarabt), Everton (62nd Yaremtsuk), Nounies (90th Lazaro)

ΑΓΙΑΞ: Passfeer, Mazraoui (90 + 2′ Ranch), Timber, Martines, Blind (74′ Tagliafiko), Alvarez, Berhaus, Hrafenberch (74′ Klaassen), Anthony, Ale, Tadic

The results of the first games of the round of 16

The program of the second games of phase 16