The Dutch side that has so far been the talk of this season’s UEFA Champions League, AFC Ajax (a.k.a giant beaters) on Tuesday night, continued their incredible story, as they beat Spurs in their new stadium 0-1, in the first leg of the semifinals.
The game on Tuesday night at the new White Hart Lane Stadium, saw the visitors in the first 15 to 30 minutes, imposing themselves in the game, playing more like the home team. The home team Spurs who were set up to play on the counter, could not cope in the first few minutes of the game, as Donny Van De Beek beats an offside line to give AFC Ajax a crucial away goal, as early as in the 15th minutes of the game.
Donny Van De Beek scored the first and only goal of the game, as AFC Ajax one more time, showed what they have been doing all season long in the Champions League. The goal came after some typical build-up play down the left, moving infield along the edge of the box, and finding pockets of space in the box.
The ball was slipped through by Hakim Ziyech to Donny Van De Beek who then control, turn and with some amount of delay to deceive the Spurs goalkeeper, Hugo Lloris, the AFC Ajax man placed the ball into the net for the only goal of the night and a well deserved one.
Fernando Llorente missed a header, narrowly, after being found by Kieran Trippier from a free-kick.Jan Vertonghen then collided with teammate Toby Alderweireld and was forced off with possible concussion.
The second half saw Spurs changing their initial plan to defend deep and counter, as they turned the game around, taking the game to AFC Ajax who saw their first half rhythm disrupted by Spurs in the second half.
They had good chances, with Fernando Llorente missing a clear header, narrowly, after being found by Kieran Trippier from a free-kick.
Spurs controlled the second half better than what they did in the first half, but failed to take their chances, as Ajax too could have gotten a second goal from that game.
David Neres was the one who the chance fell to in the 77th minute, but failed to convert the chance, as his shot hit the post, to the relieve of goalkeeper, Hugo Lloris who was well beaten.
The game ended 0-1 in favour of the Dutch side, as we look forward to the second leg, where AFC Ajax will be playing at home. They have been better playing in the second leg in the Champions League, as the likes of Real Madrid and Juventus can attest to this fact.