Champions League – Led twice by Ajax Amsterdam, Benfica has given itself the right to still believe in it

A fight and a great show but no winner yet. Benfica Lisbon and Ajax Amsterdam parted ways on Wednesday in the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League (2-2). The Amsterdam visitors opened the scoring through Dusan Tadic (18th) before Sébastien Haller signaled himself in both areas with a goal against his camp (26th) then another in the right direction (29th). Roman Yaremchuk equalized to reward the big burst of energy from Lisbon in the second half (72nd). The return leg promises just as much adversity.

As expected, this duel between former winners of the C1 started strong. The Amsterdammer Antony immediately set the tone with a nice little bridge over Julian Weigl from the first minute. Benfica entered their match in turn and replied on an eccentric free kick from Alejandro Grimaldo for a header from Jan Vertonghen which ended up in the gloves of Remko Pasveer (3rd). Ajax still gained the upper hand thanks to its technical offensive quality but also to its high pressing. Noussair Mazraoui stole the ball from Grimaldo on the right before leaning on Antony and crossing for Tadic who placed his recovery out of reach of Odisseas Vlachodimos (0-1, 18th).

Haller in sight

The Eagles could expect a complicated evening, yet they reacted perfectly thanks to an unfailing will. The excellent Rafa Silva led the way by hitting on the right to unleash a center-shot from a tight angle which ended up on the post (25th). On the next corner Jean Vertonghen, former Ajax, also fought on the left of the zone of truth and his low center was awkwardly deflected by Haller to end up in the nets of Pasveer (1-1, 26th). The top scorer of this Champions League season, however, also quickly recovered and restored the advantage to his team in two stages by cutting off a cross from the left (1-2, 29th).

The Ivory Coast international took his tally to 11 in the competition. He also weighed on the opposing defense throughout the game. On the other hand, he was surprised by the shot from Edson Alvarez who hit the post and missed the rebound in front of the Lisbon cage (44th). Faced with this mastery of the Lancers, the Benfica players decided to raise their voices in the engagement after the break. They also bet a lot on percussion, especially with Everton Soares whose deflected strike flirted with the frame (55th).

The Eagles gave their all

If Mazraoui solicited Vlachodimos (63rd), the players of Nelson Verissimo more jostled their opponents thanks to their aggressiveness in this intense and disputed match. Gonçalo Ramos did not get a penalty (67th) then just missed the target (69th). Served by Rafa Silva, the incoming Yaremchuk saw Jurrien Timber save the visitors by repelling the danger in extremis (70th). Always playful, Ajax cracked in this intense sequence after a new express counter led by Rafa Silva, a heavy strike from Ramos repelled by Pasveer and a header from Yaremchuk which followed (2-2, 72nd).

In front of the boiling public of the Estadio da Luz, the Lisbon people even tried to go and snatch the victory but they finally lacked energy. The Ajacides, themselves, came to their senses and finished the game well but Antony failed to deceive Vlachodimos on the last opportunity (90th + 3). Unlike Ajax which dominates its championship, Benfica is no longer in the race for the title in Portugal, however the Eagles have every intention of fighting again until the end in the return match on March 15 on the side from Amsterdam to continue their European journey.