Both teams fought hard during the opening phase. In the 32nd minute, AS Roma opened the score. Captain Elisa Bartoli extended a sharp free-kick from the left, and the ball fell into the top bin: 0-1. Right before half-time, the Italians got close to a second goal. Yet again, Bartoli had a chance of heading the ball into the goal, but it hit the crossbar.
The first big chance for the Ajax Women hit the net. Lily Yohannes started the attack and reached Hoekstra on the left side. The Ajacied scored with her left foot, making it 1-1 at half-time.
AS Roma had the first big chance in the second half. A decent backheel in front of Regina van Eijk’s goal ended next to the pole. With the score on the other pitch in mind, both teams were hunting for victory in the final phase of the match. It resulted in an explosion of sound in the Johan Cruijff ArenA after Spitse’s free-kick in the 84th hit the goal via AS Roma defender Zara Kramžar’s head.
The victory was secured, and the Ajax Women wrote history by qualifying for the UEFA Women’s Champions League quarterfinals.
Ajax Women – AS Roma 2-1 (1-1)
32. Bartoli 0-1
44. Hoekstra 1-1
84. Kramžar (o.g) 2-1
Ajax Women: Van Eijk; Keijzer (88. Kardinaal), Spitse, De Sanders, Weerden; Van Gool (78. Van de Velde), Yohannes, Noordam (88. Noordman); Grant, Leuchter, T. Hoekstra (63. Keukelaar).
