Darwin Núñez header in the 77th minute turned into all Benfica had to development to the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League on the fee of Ajax.
With a 2-2 aggregate in the first leg, the tie promised to be a carefully contested affair with Ajax throwing everything at their disposal to get that wanted purpose that would raise them beyond their combatants.
Ajax had the ball within the back of Odysseas Vlachodimos’ internet inside the 7th minute when Sébastien Haller prodded home Dušan Tadić’s pass, but the Serbian were caught offside in the build-up.
The hosts persevered to exert pressure notwithstanding the offside name and noticed Edson Álvarez and Jurriën Timber heading over before Ryan Gravenberch’s venomous strike from range turned into tipped behind.
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The 2d half was greater of the identical scenario with Tadić firing astray after evading the attentions of Nicolás Otamendi. But Benfica had an excellent possibility in their personal in the 57th minute whilst former Spurs defender Jan Vertonghen headed huge from a nook when he most effective had the internet at his mercy.
Daley Blind’s cross got here agonizingly close to locating the top corner for Ajax however the traveller's resolute defence became status tall as they offered the time in their own. Their second of the wait was to come within the 77th minute while Darwin Núñez rose ahead of André Onana to go in Grimaldo’s free-kick transport for his twenty sixth aim this season.
Erik ten Hag made late changes because the hosts pushed for an equalizer, but Vertonghen produced a incredible header to deny Haller a overdue possibility, ensuring ‘As Águias’ secured simply their second win in their ultimate 11 fits away within the Netherlands and UCL development.
