Ajax had an absolutely crazy 4th round game in the UEFA Champions League at Chelsea. The Amsterdam team built up a well-deserved 1-3 lead midway through the first half, but at the end they had to be content with a 4-4 draw.
Both teams were assertive from the start. Within five minutes, they had both scored an opening goal. Ajax's goal came in the 2nd minute via Quincy Promes. His free kick curved from the sideline into the goal (0-1). The ball was deflected by Chelsea forward Tammy Abraham, who received credit for the goal. Howeve, Erik ten Hag’s team was unable to enjoy its lead for long, because after a Joël Veltman foul on Christian Pulisic, Chelsea was awarded a free kick. Jorginho stayed cool and tied the game for his team: 1-1.
Ziyech shows off his magical left foot
The match struggled forward. Abraham thought he had scored the 2-1 goal, but he was offside. In the 20th minute, Promes displayed the great form he has been in for the past few weeks. He put Ajax in the 1-2 lead with a header. Hakim Ziyech made the assist. And what an assist! With a blinding pass, he placed Promes face to face with Chelsea keeper Kepa.
Ziyech was also at the root of the 1 – 3 goal that came 10 minutes to half time. The Moroccan star sent a free kick into the goal, via Kepa’s face. The goal was awarded to the Chelsea keeper, but it was Ziyech who was the man of the moment. After a stormy first half, Ajax was sitting on a comfortable 1-3 lead.
Ajax survives offensive and strikes back
After play resumed, Chelsea had the first opportunity. Kurt Zouma headed towards Andre Onana with great strides but his shot from 20 meters out sailed over the Ajax goal. The London team was hungry and on the hunt for a goal. Ajax survived this offensive and struck back mercilessly. Ziyech passed to Donny van de Beek, who put the 1-4 on the scoreboard at the 55th minute with a shot into the far corner. Unbelievable!
Van de Beek also set a record. With his goal at Stamford Bridge, he became the first player to score in 4 consecutive Champions League games. A special milestone fort he midfielder, who is still only 22 years old.
Veltman and Blind sent off
The 1-4 goal was a big setback for Chelsea, but the team, coached and trained by club legend Frank Lampard, didn’t give up. In the 63rd minute, Chelsea captain César Azpilicueta scored the 2-4 goal. This was the catalyst to an absolutely crazy closing period. About 20 minutes before time, referee Gianluca Rocchi gave both Blind (tackle) and Veltman (hands) red cards. Both defenders were forced out of the game after their second yellow cards.
Chelsea also received a penalty shot, because Veltman had touched the ball with his hand in his own penalty kick area. Jorginho stepped up again and set Stamford Bridge aflame with his 3-4 goal. Reece James scored the tying 4-4 goal three minutes later. After that, there were opportunities for both sides to score the winning goal. Azpilicueta thought he had delivered it to his team, but his 5-4 was disallowed because of hands. Ajax stood its ground well with 9 players, and pulled the much fought-for point out of the fire.