Cometh the hour, cometh the teenager. Eighteen-year-old Vinicius brilliantly conjured up Real Madrid’s opening goal converted by Karim Benzema as the holders took a 2-1 lead away form Amsterdam.
After Benzema’s 60th minute goal, Ajax – denied a first-half opener by VAR – grabbed a deserved equaliser from Hakim Ziyech but then collectively dropped to their knees as substitute Marco Asensio scored a vital late winner.
The irrepressible Vinicius was found with a lobbed pass dropped into space for him by Sergio Reguilon for the first goal. He changed gears to zoom past Ajax right back Noussair Mazroui and then changed direction darting across the face of the penalty area drawing red and white shirts towards him until Benzema was unmarked. He played him in and the French forward arrowed a right-foot shot into the far corner of Andre Onana’s net.
Marco Asensio is delighted after scoring what proved to be the winning goal for Real Madrid against Ajax
Substitute Asensio scored a late equaliser as Real Madrid beat Ajax 2-1 in the Champions League
Hakim Ziyech scores after he scored Ajax’s equaliser during the second half of their Champions League clash
Real Madrid coach Santiago Solari immediately took off Gareth Bale and brought on Lucas Vazquez. Had he been planning to take off Vinicius? How could he now? Vinicius remained and it would be Benzema who was next to go off with a knock leaving the 18-year-old leading the line.
Benzema’s departure was the cue for Ajax to equalise. Ziyech converted after David Neres had crossed from the left. VAR delayed full-blown celebrations as Real Madrid complained, ultimately in vain, about a foul in the build-up.
VAR had produced the moment of the first half too, five minutes before the break when it saved Real Madrid from going behind.
MATCH FACTS AND MATCH ZONE
Ajax: Onana; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Blind, Tagliafico; De Jong, Schone (Dolberg 73); Ziyech, Van de Beek, Tadic; David Neres
Subs not used: Kristensen, Veltman, Sinkgraven, Huntelaar, Lamprou, De Wit
Booked: Ziyech
Goal: Ziyech 75
Real Madrid: Courtois; Carvajal, Nacho, Ramos, Reguilon; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Bale (Vazquez 61), Benzema (Asensio 73), Vinicius Junior (Diaz 81)
Subs not used: Navas, Jesus Vallejo, Marcelo, Ceballos
Booked: Ramos, Reguilon, Vazquez
Goals: Benzema 60, Asensio 87
Marco Asensio scored Real Madrid’s second goal after a neat move
Ziyech scored in the 75th minute of the game after he was set up by David Neres
Karim Benzema celebrates after putting Real Madrid in the lead in the 60th minute of the game
Benzema showed impressive composure to steer the ball into the net after being set up by Vinicius Junior
The Real Madrid players congratulate Benzema on his goal after he opened the scoring at the Johan Cruyff arena
Real Madrid goalscorer Benzema had beer thrown at him by Ajax supporters as he celebrated
The Real Madrid players applaud the travelling supporters following the full-time whistle at the Johan Cruyff Arena
Ajax goalscorer Ziyech shows his frustration after his side’s first leg defeat was confirmed
Matthijs de Ligt climbed above Casemiro to head goalwards. The ball bounced up and hit Thibaut Courtois in the shoulder, Nicolas Tagliafico headed in the rebound and the Johan Cruyff Arena erupted to celebrate a deserved opener but VAR had instructed referee Damir Skomina to review the goal pitchside.
Dusan Tadic was offside. It was up to Skomina to decide if he was interfering or not. The Serbian striker was right under Courtois’s nose and the goal was ruled out.
Madrid were off the hook and so was Courtois who had failed to deal with the corner just seconds after making the save of the first half from Ziyech.
Ajax had also hit the frame of the goal through the electric Tadic who capitalized on Sergio Reguilon giving the ball away. Sergio Ramos did just enough to put Tadic off balance without fouling him.
Ajax controversially had a goal by Nicolas Tagliafico ruled out for an offside call against Dusan Tadic after VAR was consulted
Referee Damir Skomina consulted VAR before ruling that Ajax’s Tadic was in an offside position
Courtois failed to hold the ball, and Tagliafico took full advantage as he found the net, but the goal wasn’t given
Ajax were showing none of their dismal league form. Tadic could have scored again having slalomed into the area only to slice his shot.
Madrid’s best chance came when Toni Kroos released Vinicius and he set off with only one thought in mind to get into the area and shoot. Andre Onana tipped his effort over.
Reguilon, in the team ahead of Marcelo, burst forward and found Bale but he had no extra support and the move fizzled out. Ajax were playing a high line but so effective and intense was their pressing that Madrid could catch a breath to get Bale or Vinicius running in behind them in the first half.
Frenkie De Jong meanwhile was having a fascinating duel with Luka Modric – the old Madrid maestro against Barcelona’s new signing. In among the pinball passes Modric played the ball of the first half to send Vinicius clear but he ran in-field and into trouble.
A jubilant Tagliafico celebrates after he thought that he scored, but the goal was subsequently ruled out
Real Madrid goalkeeper Courtois can only watch as Ajax’s Dusan Tadic struck the post with an effort in the first half
Frenkie De Jong of Ajax is fouled by Benzema during the intense Champions League encounter
The second half started with Onana saving down at his near post from Benzema’s shot. Immediately Ajax hit back with De Jong playing a superb pass through to Neres who was foiled by Courtois.
Ajax had not adjusted the settings for the second half, the pressure on Madrid all over the pitch was intense. But Benzema’s goal winded them. They had dominated. They had been in front for those few moments while VAR and then Skomina deliberated. Now they were behind.
When Ziyech struck with 15 minutes left it seemed they had got a deserved draw but Asensio scored from close range from Dani Carvajal’s perfect cross. Madrid still needed an extra-time close range save from Courtois to finish the game on top ahead of next month’s second leg.
Gareth Bale attempts to push forward for Real, while Ajax defender Tagliafico tries to track the Welshman
Ajax’s Donny van de Beek is involved in a midfield tussle with Real Madrid’s Casemiro during the Champions League clash
Vinicius Junior attempts to win the ball for Real Madrid as he challenges Ajax’s Ziyech