Benfica v Ajax - as it happened
List of goalscorers
Match report in news
End of match
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94'FT: Benfica 2-2 Ajax! A pulsating, unpredictable showdown comes to an end with a scoreline that both teams will be satisfied with. Despite the frenzied pace of the contest, Ajax seemed in control at half-time thanks to Haller continuing his record-breaking run in the UEFA Champions League. Benfica showed how determined they were not to head to Amsterdam behind, deservedly equalising through substitute Yaremchuk.
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93'Last chance tonight? Antony curls in a strike from outside the penalty area to the right of centre. Vlachodimos dives athletically to his right to palm the effort around his post.
Substitution
at Ajax
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92'Ajax sub: Rensch on for Mazraoui.
Substitution
at Benfica
Substitution
at Benfica
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90'Benfica double sub: Valentino Lazaro replaces Darwin Nuñez and Goncalves on for Gilberto.
Yellow card
a Ajax
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87'Antony is cautioned by the referee.
Substitution
at Benfica
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85'Benfica sub: Bernardo replaces Adel Taarabt.
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83'Ajax have had more possession than Benfica in the second half – 64% – but they have been caught out too many times at the back. Still, with the players Ajax have, anything could happen.
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80'Klaassen rolls a pass to Haller on the right, who thrashes a shot over the target from an ambitious distance.
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76'Nuñez bustles inside the penalty area on the left and swings a dangerous low cross towards the lurking Yaremchuk. Timber does well to clear behind.
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74'Yaremchuk is cautioned by the referee.
Substitution
at Ajax
Substitution
at Ajax
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73'Ajax double sub: Klaassen on for Gravenberch and Tagliafico on for Blind.
Goaaaaaal!
de Benfica en el 72'
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Statistics of R. Yaremchuk in Champions League103
0.3020
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72'GOAL for Benfica! Their persistency and boldness in the second half pays dividends as Rafa Silva initially canters down the right inside opposition territory and finds Gonçalo Ramos in a central position just shy of the penalty area. His powerful shot sends Pasveer springing into the air, palming the swerving strike up into the air. The ball lands invitingly for the onrushing Yaremchuk in front of the unguarded goal, beating Berguis to the opportunity and following his header into the net.
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70'Ten Hag has just been spotted shaking his head in dissatisfaction. There’s no doubt that there has been more bite to Benfica’s game since half-time, and the Dutch champions at this moment are not comfortably in control of the match.
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68'The home fans roar with Benfica on top of the game. Of course, Ajax could have already scored a third – but the hosts are intensifying their pressure, with chances around Ajax's penalty area.
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63'Vlachodimos to the rescue! The goalkeeper stops a close-range Mazraoui strike, hit from the right hand side of the penalty area. A reminder of the threat the visitors have consistently posed.
Substitution
at Benfica
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62'Benfica sub: Everton is replaced by Yaremchuk.
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61'Nuñez takes aim from distance to the left of centre, curling in a shot that flies just wide of the far post. Benfica are continuing to display plenty of attacking intent.
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60'That was a beautiful flowing move, in which Ajax worked the ball from back to front to present Gravenberch with a reasonable chance, but the midfielder’s touch let him down and he failed to get a shot away.
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56'Huge frustration for Everton, who sinks to the floor with his head in his hands after watching his low shot from outside the penalty area drop just wide of Pasveer's left-hand post via a sizeable deflection. Rafa Silva had found him in space, laying the ball back as part of a neat Benfica move from the left.
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54'Haller is adjudged to be in an offside position.
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52'Grimaldo sends Nuñez away down the left, who wins a corner via a low cross.
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50'Ajax foray down the right for a prolonged period. Benfica clear but cannot keep hold of possession.
Yellow card
a Benfica
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49'Goncalo Ramos is booked for a foul on Timber.
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47'Darwin Nuñez is shown a yellow card for a bad foul on Lisandro.
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46'Ajax get us going again!
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45'HT: Benfica 1-2 Ajax! As was so often the case during their formidable group stage campaign, quick-thinking and composure in dangerous areas have made the difference for Ajax and deservedly put them a goal ahead at the break. Tadic's cool finish preceded relief for Haller, who made no mistake at the other end after lucklessly sending the ball beyond his own goalkeeper. Martinez could have added a third but for the intervention of a post, leaving Benfica on the ropes.
February 23, 2022
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45'3 minutes added on.
Yellow card
a Ajax
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45'Berghuis is booked by the referee.
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44'Alvarez hits the woodwork! Ajax so nearly make it three! Antony finds Alvarez inside the penalty area on the left with an incisive pass, and the Mexico maestro does justice to the flowing move by sending a first-time cross-shot beyond Vertonghen and Vlachodimos's dive, only to be denied by the far post. Haller can't quite react as rapidly as he did to the rebound for his goal, sending the chance wide from close range. A let-off for Benfica!
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44'What a great interception by Timber to dispossess Rafa Silva. The 20-year-old Dutch defender really does look like the complete package.
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40'Ajax work the ball around the Benfica penalty area neatly, culminating in Mazraoui zipping in a shot from a central position that Vlachodimos catches to the right of the centre of his goalmouth.
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39'Antony concedes a free-kick for a foul on Grimaldo.
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35'The match is stopped momentarily, Lisandro still looks dizzy after the blow to the head with Otamendi.
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31'Ajax scurry the danger clear following a Benfica corner on the right. This match is a real thriller so far.
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31'Corner awarded to Benfica. Weigl delivers the corner.
Goaaaaaal!
de Ajax en el 29'
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Statistics of S. Haller in Champions League811
1.38210
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29'GOAL for Ajax! Haller scores at both ends and continues his remarkable run of scoring in every match of this season's UEFA Champions League! Haller was clearly not fazed by his clumsy touch that gave Benfica the equaliser. He simply responded by doing what he does best: staying cool in the box, always picking the right spot to be in, and finishing with unerring accuracy.
Own goal
de Ajax en el 26'
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26'GOAL for Benfica! Benfica are level! The Portuguese side win a corner through excellent work by Rafa Silva on the right, deceiving Martínez and almost catching Pasveer out at his near post. From the ensuing corner on the right, Vertonghen collects possession inside the penalty area on the left after twice having shots blocked, fizzing in a cross that the unfortunate Haller diverts beyond his goalkeeper at his left-hand post. We're all-square!
Yellow card
a Ajax
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23'Mazraoui is shown a yellow card for a foul on Everton.
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23'Haller is penalised for a foul on Gilberto.
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19'Martinez is penalised for a foul on Rafa Silva.
Goaaaaaal!
de Ajax en el 18'
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Statistics of Dušan Tadić in Champions League72
0.29100
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18'GOAL for Ajax! Ajax's pressure pays off! Vlachodimos clips an unconvincing pass out to the left flank, where Mazraoui pounces to seize possession, racing down the wing via a one-two. His cross from near the byline finds Tadi? in front of goal, who measures a half-volley with his instep, hurtling beyond the goalkeeper and into the left-hand corner of his net. 1-0!
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16'Gravenberch is penalised for handball.
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14'Gilberto concedes a free-kick for a foul on Tadic.
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12'Benfica are pressing around Ajax's penalty area, only for their opponents to break with typical speed. Haller approaches the penalty area to the left of centre and tries to find Antony to his right with a low pass that lacks the pace to evade Benfica's backtracking defenders.
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10'Tadic is not know for his defensive skills. Gilberto and Rafa Silva can take advantage on the right flank.
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9'Benfica settle into a pretty disciplined 4-4-2 when Ajax start to build from the back. The hosts’ back line, in particular, is remarkably straight.
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7'Corner awarded to Benfica, conceded by Lisandro.
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5'The central defenders of Ajax are both around 180cm. Vertonghen won the ball from the free-kick, showing that Benfica can threaten from dead balls.
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3'Vertonghen and Nuñez both attack Grimaldo's cross from the left in line with the Ajax penalty area, resulting in a comfortable save for Pasveer.
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2'Alvarez is penalised for a foul on Goncalo Ramos.
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2'Antony is adjudged to be in an offside position.
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1'Benfica get us going from right to left in their usual colours!! Ajax in black!
Start of match
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PRVWThe flight of the eagle is a classic at the Estadio do SL Benfica. A big roar greets another safe landing for the club's mascot.
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PRVWOtamendi and Tadic, the two captains, come together for the coin toss and we're about to start!
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PRVWThe teams make their way out here!
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PRVWThe fans are starting to warm up their voices!
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PRVWThe players finish their warm-up and prepare the final details before the start of the match.
February 23, 2022
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PRVWBenfica have won all of their previous four home matches in the UEFA Champions League round of 16, each without conceding a goal. That run has comprised three 1-0 victories and one 2-0 win.
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PRVWAjax started their warm-up with a huge round of applause from the group of more than 3,000 fans in the top corner of the stadium.
February 23, 2022
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PRVWRemember the abolition of the away goals rule in all UEFA club competitions. From now on away goals will count the same, i.e. there will be no advantage for the second leg.
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PRVWSlovenian Slavko Vincic is the referee for this one while German Marco Fritz is the VAR.
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PRVWIt's 17 degrees and clear in Lisbon for this one. All set to get the ball rolling and enjoy the UCL show.
February 23, 2022
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PRVWThis is how the visitor side arrived at the stadium, will they be able to win without the support of their home crowd?
February 23, 2022
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PRVWThe only player in the Ajax starting XI who could remotely be described as a surprise choice is Gravenberch, who gets the nod ahead of Klaassen. The 19-year-old midfielder said in an interview recently that he wasn’t used to starting on the bench; this evening he has the opportunity to show why he should be first choice.
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PRVWBenfica make just one change in the expected line-up: Gilberto takes Lazaro's place at right-back. They will play in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Goncalo Ramos behind Darwin in attack. Veríssimo tested this approach last Friday and, aside from a mental shut-down in the second half, it worked fine.
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PRVWCaptain Tadic makes his 30th appearance in the UCL. If he manages to get on the scoresheet, he’ll take his tally in the competition into double figures.
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PRVWOpened in 2003, this stadium hosted the UEFA EURO 2004 final and the 2014 and 2020 UEFA Champions League finals.
February 23, 2022
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PRVWAjax bench: Onana (GK), Gorter (GK); Tagliafico, Rensch, Schuurs; Taylor, Kudus, Klaassen, Jensen; Daramy, Pereira.
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PRVWHosts bench: Leite (GK); Morato, Gil Dias, Goncalves, Araujo; Lazaro, Joao Mario, Meite, Bernardo; Radonjic, Yaremchuk.
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PRVWAjax XI: Pasveer (GK); Blind, Lisandro Martinez, Timber, Mazraoui; Tadic, Edson Alvarez, Berghuis, Gravenberch, Antony; Sebastian Haller.
February 23, 2022
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PRVWBenfica XI: Vlachodimos (GK); Grimaldo, Vertonghen, Otamendi, Gilberto; Everton, Taarabt, Weigl, Rafa Silva; Ramos, Nuñez.
February 23, 2022
Pre-match
23 February 2022, 21:00
Referee: Slavko Vincic | VAR: Marco Fritz
Stadium: Estádio da Luz
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PRVWHello and welcome to live coverage of the UCL last 16 game between Benfica and Ajax at the Estadio Da Luz in Lisbon! Any predictions?
Mentioned in the news story
Benfica
Ajax
UCL
