Recap all the action as Champions League surprise packages Tottenham Hotspur and Ajax met in their semi-final first leg in London.
30 April 2019
So, disappointment for Spurs, delight for Ajax - but this tie is only at the half-way stage, as the pair meet again in Amsterdam next Wednesday.
The Dutch will be firm favorites to progress, and it will take something very special from Spurs at the he Johan Cruyff Arena.
Thanks for joining our live updates - we;ll be back tomorrow for all the action from the second semi-final first leg as Barcelona take on Liverpool in Spain.
It promises to be a cracker!
Ajax skipper Matthijs de Ligt - just 19 - was solid again tonight, and he says the result was very much the main thing for his side tonight.
More than that, they looked incredibly imposed on what is the biggest night in these players' careers.
Full time: Tottenham 0-1 Ajax
Disappointing for Spurs, delightful for the young Dutch masters as they put in yet another composed performance on the road in this year's competition.
They will be strong favorites to reach the final, and the question is now: can the stars of this year's compeition really go all the way?
Based on tonight, it's hard to see why not.
Into 3 minutes of stoppage time in London. Spurs desperately need something, but don't look like getting it...
Into the last 5 minutes of normal time at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Ajax introduce 35-year-old Klaas Jan Huntelaar (remember him?) for Hakim Ziyech.
Spurs offering no real threat at all, as Sissoko cross tamely from the right and Onana gathers.
Fizzling out for the home team on a disappointing night.
A double change for Spurs as they desperately seek a way back into this game.
Hits the post!
Hugo Lloris is beaten as David Neres stabs the ball across the goal, but it agonizingly hits the upright and rolls clear.
So, so close to doubling their advantage as we approach the last 10 minutes.
A cracking series of images of Donny van de Beek as he scored that opening goal on 15 minutes - it remains the difference so far.
Into the last 20 minutes, what can Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino do to shake things up? A glum-looking Harry Kane is shown watching from the stands, wishing he were out there no doubt.
Young Ajax keeper Andre Onana comes out to claim a long ball and gets clattered by Danny Rose for his troubles.
Spurs - and the crowd - have quietened down again, Ajax looking untroubled so far.
This image of Dele Alli pretty much sums up Spurs' frustrations so far.
Meanwhile, Ajax make a change as Noussair Mazraoui comes on for an unhappy-looking Lasse Schone.
Spurs starting to turn the screw a little bit here as Moura chips into the box, but Ajx head clear with Llorente lurking.
Veltman then goes into the book for Ajax after wrestling Dele Alli to the ground. The free-kick into the box comes to nothing, though.
Much more promising from Spurs so far this half - although let's be honest, they couldn't have started any worse than they did in the first.
Ajax still cool, calm, and unruffled as they break up the play, though.
Chance for Dele Alli as Trippier stands the ball up, the England man outjumps his marker at the back post but heads over. It's that kind of night for Spurs so far...
A lively opening five minutes to the second half as the two teams trade half chances, with Danny Rose clearing a particularly dangerous-looking moment for his team
The teams level on 7 attempts apiece, but Ajax with 2 shots on target to Spurs' 1 - with the away team with that all-important goal, of course.
We are back underway in London. Spurs, what have you got?
A very good question....
So what do you make of that first half?
Ajax started much the brighter and got the goal their early dominance warranted, but Spurs finally woke up towards the end of the half - ironically after losing Vertonghen to that nasty injury.
The home team with it all to do - can manager Mauricio Pochettino rouse them?
And another chance for Spurs as they finally burst into life. This time substitute Sissoko leathers one from outside the box, but it spins wide.
The half time whistle blows, Ajax head in 1-0 to the good and very much in the driving seat in this tie.
Chance for Spurs on the stroke of half time!
Free-kick comes in and Toby Alderweireld meets it unmarked in the box, but heads over. Probably Spurs' best chance of the half.
Some reaction to Vertonghen being allowed to continue after that nasty collision and bloodied nose.
Lucas Moura drives into the Ajax box and goes down, perhaps looking for a penalty but the referee isn't interested. Spurs win a corner but it's cleared. The home team stepping into the game a bit mroe now.
Vertonghen is back on the pitch after a check from referee Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz to make sure there is no blood flowing from his nose.
BUT - after a few steps he shakes his head and pulls up. He's still dazed and needs to be helped off.
He's replaced by midfielder Moussa Sissoko as Spus suffer more injury woe.
Quesitons could be asked as why Vertonghen was even allowed back on in that state.
Vertonghen has been patched up but is still off the pitch as play continues. Spurs down to 10 men for the moment.
A stoppage as Jan Vertonghen takes a nasty whack to the head while challenging in the Ajax box from a free-kick. Ajax keeper Andre Onana comes out to punch, but Vertonghen appears to collid with teammate Toby Alderweireld as well as Onana.
Vertonghen comes off the worse, and is left needing treatment as blood pours from a cut at the top of his nose.
Half an hour gone, and Ajax have enjoyed close to 70% possession in London. They are dictating the pace so far.
It looks like Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has gone to a back four, with Danny Rose dropping to left back.
Meanwhile, Ajax's Nicolas Tagliafico earns the first yellow card of the night for bringng down Christian Eriksen near half-way.
Spurs with their first chance of the night. The ball comes in from a Kieran Trippier free-kick on the right, Fernando Llorente meets it but the big Spaniard heads wide. First real threat from Spurs so far.
Save! It's almost 2-0, and it's almost van de Beek again. This time the 22-year-old is played in down the left, but Lloris saves low. A let-off for Spurs, 25 mins gone in London.
This Ajax team is making history on the road, fearing no one...
Ajax showing no sign of sitting back after that goal. They are still pressing forward. Spurs simply haven't got going at all.
Donny van de Beek gives Ajax the lead on 15 minutes!
He gets played in by Ziyech in the box before steadying himself with a cool finish past Hugo Lloris.
It was checked by VAR for offside, but deemed all good. Dream start for the Dutch!
GOAL! Tottenham 0-1 Ajax
Ajax venture into the Spurs' box again as Hakim Ziyech has a shot blocked. This really is a very settled opening from the Dutch side. Not overawed by the occasion at all so far.
Ajax mass on the edge of the Spurs' box but a shot is blocked. Things building for the visitors, Spurs can't seem to string any series of passes together at the moment.
The camera pans to the suspended Son Heung-min in the crowd - how Spurs wish he was out there on the pitch tonight (Harry Kane likewise).
Ajax settling into some nice passing rhythm as they stroke the ball around the back. Very composed from the Dutch team so far, perhaps not the all-action opening some expected from Spurs.
A quite opening five minutes in London. Ajax win their first corner, which falls to Donny van de Beek but he fires well over from the edge of the box.
Spurs boss Pochettino and Ajax counterpark Erik ten Hag have both worked wonders with their team amid some cash-rich contemporaries in this competition - and the pair had a friendly gretting before kick-off.
Kick-off
Ajax get us underway in London. The visitors in their all-black away strip, Spurs in white with blue trim.
THE CHAAAMPIIOOOOOONS!
The Champions League anthem is done, the players are ready, kick-off is imminent...
Teen sensation Matthijs de Ligt leads Ajax out tonight. He's one of Europe's most sought-after defenders, and is tipped to leave the Dutch club in a big-money move this summer.
This handy UEFA compilation shows us why:
TO DARE IS TO DO
Spurs fans are already in fine voice, waving a mass of blue and white flags as 'Glory, glory Tottenham Hotspur' balres out on the sound system.
Five minutes until kick-off, blue skies in London, the stage awaits...
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Spurs' stunning new 62,000-steater stadium is certainly a fitting stage for a night like this.
Fans were forced to suffer delay after delay to their new $1bn home, but it has all been worth it for a stadium hailed as among the best anywhere in the world.
Tonight, it's looking suitably resplendent as the players finish their warm-ups.
Dutch delight
This Ajax team has been a breath of fresh air in the competition this season, playing some stunning free-flowing football reminiscent of club legend Johan Cruyff’s days.
They famously won three European Cups in a row at the start of the ‘70s, adding the Champions League to that in 1995 under manager Louis van Gaal and a team containing the likes of Frank Rijkaard, the de Boer brothers and Clarence Seedorf – to name just a few.
They have largely been in the Champions League wilderness since then, but this exciting young team containing the likes of skipper Matthijs de Ligt, 19, and Frenkie de Jong in midfield are bringing back the glory days.
Check out more on their fairytale run here:
Also on rt.com Dutch delight: Why Ajax's remarkable Champions League run is so welcomeMauricio ‘Buzz Lightyear’ Pochettino
Spurs are making their first-ever Champions League semi-final appearance tonight (having lost in the European Cup semi-final in 1962).
Manager Mauricio Pochettino is working wonders at the London club, and ahead of tonight’s game said that his team were in dreamland to have come this far.
He even went all Toy Story, saying: "You need to set your dreams to infinity and beyond.
"When you achieve things it's because you dream them. To be in the Champions League semi-final with Tottenham was a dream five years ago – but we're living the dream.
"You know we must always dream for the moon if you want to get something in the sky."
We’ll soon find out if Spurs can go some way toward continuing that dream tonight, or whether Ajax will hand them a rude awakening on their own patch.
How to stop a team like Ajax?
That’s a question that has flummoxed two giants of the game in Real Madrid and Juventus already this season, as this young Dutch team have set Europe ablaze with their fearless, free-flowing football.
Speaking to RT after the last round, managerial great Jose Mourinho told RT how he had managed to stop the Dutch team playing when facing them in the Europa League final with Manchester United in 2017.
In a nutshell, here's what he had to say:
Dutch invasion
Ajax fans have been out in force in London ahead of today’s game.
One fan perhaps took things a tad too far, scaling some scaffolding in Leicester Square to lead a chant – but thankfully made it down safely.
They will be no less vocal once the game gets underway at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Team news
Let’s get straight into some team news for you.
Ajax boss Erik ten Hag names 22-year-old star David Neres up front after he started on the bench against Vitesse in the Eredivisie game a week ago.
Matthijs de Ligt, 19, skippers the team as usual.
For Spurs, Mauricio Pochettino continues to contend with injuries to key man Harry Kane, while midfielder Harry Winks is also out with injury and the equally important Son Heung-min – hero of the quarter-final tie against Manchester City – is suspended.
Spaniard Fernando Llorente, who scored what turned out to be the decisive goal against City in the last round, gets a start, as does Lucas Moura.
There are familiar faces for Ajax in the Spurs line-up, with Davinson Sanchez, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen and Christian Eriksen all previously playing for the Dutch club.
Hello and welcome!
The stage is set for the opening action of this season’s Champions League semi-finals, as Spurs and Ajax – two teams few would have predicted to be here at the start of the season – meet in London.
But here they very much are, and it’s down to some terrific performances up to this stage of the competition.
Ajax dethroned holders Real Madrid before dumping out Juventus and Cristiano Ronaldo, while Spurs comfortably saw off Borussia Dortmund in that last 16, before that thriller against Manchester City in the quarter-finals which saw them prevail on away goals.
If tonight’s action is anything like what’s come before from these two teams, we’re in for a treat…