Benfica 2-2 Ajax: Haller scores at both ends in Champions League draw

Benfica 2-2 Ajax: Sebastien Haller scores at BOTH ends as European giants settle for share of spoils in Champions League last-16 first leg tie, with Dusan Tadic and Roman Yaremchuk also on target

  • Sebastien Haller scored at both ends of the field in Ajax’s draw at Benfica 
  • The striker put through his own net after Dusan Tadic had broken the deadlock 
  • But he quickly made amends, slotting into the corner in the right goal soon after 
  • Roman Yaremchuk ensured the tie is on a knife-edge after heading in a leveller 

Prolific striker Sebastien Haller was again among the goals as Ajax Amsterdam forced a 2-2 draw away at Benfica on Wednesday in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

Not only did the lanky Haller score to take his tally in this season’s competition to 11 goals in seven games, but he also contributed an own goal in a pulsating clash at the Estadio da Luz.

The Dutch club were ahead after 18 minutes through captain Dusan Tadic but an unfortunate own goal from Haller saw the scores level seven minutes later. 

Roman Yaremchuk scored a second half equaliser with giants Benfica and Ajax drawing 1-1

Substitute Yaremchuk beat goalkeeper Remko Pasveer to the ball to head home the leveller

Ajax, however, did not take long to restore their lead as Haller made amends with a close-in finish in the 29th minute.

A second-half header from substitute Roman Yaremchuk ensured a draw for the hosts and a boost to their hopes in the second leg next month.

More to follow. 

MATCH FACTS 

Benfica: Vlachodimos, Gilberto (Goncalves 90+1), Otamendi, Vertonghen, Grimaldo, Silva, Weigl, Taarabt (Bernardo 85), Everton (Yaremchuk 62), Nunez (Lazaro 90+1), Ramos

Subs not used: Meite, Mario, Radonjic, Dias, Araujo, Leite, Morato

Goals: Haller (OG) 25, Yaremchuk 72

Bookings: Nunez, Ramos, Yaremchuk

Manager: Nelson Verissimo

Ajax: Pasveer, Mazraoui (Rensch 90+2), Timber, Martinez, Blind (Tagliafico 73), Alvarez, Berghuis, Gravenberch (Klaassen 74), Antony, Haller, Tadic

Subs not used: Schuurs, Danilo, Gorter, Kudus, Onana, Taylor, Jensen, Daramy

Goals: Tadic 18, Haller 29

Bookings: Mazraoui, Berghuis, Antony

Manager: Erik ten Hag

Dusan Tadic had opened the scoring in the first half after side-footing into the far corner

The hosts were unable to clear their line, allowing Tadic time and space to sweep in brilliantly

Sebastien Haller inadvertently levelled the scores, however, after putting through his own net

But Haller quickly made amends at the right end, slotting into the far corner for Ajax’s second

Frontman Haller celebrated his goal, but the Dutch side later found themselves pegged back

The result means that Erik ten Hag’s outfit can secure progression at their home stadium




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