Darwin Núñez header within the 77th minute was all Benfica wanted to progress to the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League on the expense of Ajax.
With a 2-2 combination within the first leg, the tie promised to be a carefully contested affair with Ajax throwing every thing at their disposal to get that wanted purpose that might carry them previous their opponents.
Ajax had the ball behind Odysseas Vlachodimos’ internet within the seventh minute when Sébastien Haller prodded house Dušan Tadić’s cross, however the Serbian had been caught offside within the build-up.
The hosts continued to exert stress regardless of the offside name and noticed Edson Álvarez and Jurriën Timber heading over earlier than Ryan Gravenberch’s venomous strike from vary was tipped behind.
🔴⚪ WE ARE BENFICAAAAA!!! #SLBAJA #UCL pic.twitter.com/x1sdlUPaO8
— SL Benfica (@slbenfica_en) March 15, 2022
The second half was extra of the identical situation with Tadić firing off track after evading the attentions of Nicolás Otamendi. However Benfica had a wonderful alternative of their very own within the 57th minute when former Spurs defender Jan Vertonghen headed large from a nook when he solely had the online at his mercy.
Daley Blind’s cross got here agonizingly near discovering the highest nook for Ajax however the customer’s resolute defence was standing tall as they purchased the time of their very own. Their second of the wait was to return within the 77th minute when Darwin Núñez rose forward of André Onana to go in Grimaldo’s free-kick supply for his twenty sixth purpose this season.
Erik ten Hag made late modifications because the hosts pushed for an equalizer, however Vertonghen produced an excellent header to disclaim Haller a late alternative, guaranteeing ‘As Águias’ secured simply their second win of their final 11 matches away within the Netherlands and UCL development.
