A moment of madness by attacker Dani de Wit gifted Real Madrid a 2-1 win in the UEFA Youth League and ensured Ajax’s elimination at the Quarter final stage.
- By Michael Bell
- Follow Michael on Twitter
Aron Winter was able to call on Justin Kluivert for the quarter-final clash but saw his side go down early to a Dani Gomez strike on five minutes.
Ajax came into the game just before half-time but despite decent chances for Kaj Sierhuis and some nice play by Kluivert they went into the break behind. Real Madrid dominated the early stages of the second half but failed to add to their lead and eventually, Ajax equalised with Noa Lang brilliantly volleying in Kluivert’s free-kick.
Lang with a great goal for Ajax U19 (via @BvdPloegg ) pic.twitter.com/iSCNBpSgA9
— Football-Oranje.com (@football_oranje) March 8, 2017
The goal gave Ajax confidence and they nearly took the lead through Kluivert and Dekker but Madrid goalkeeper Ramos made two good saves. Then with fifteen minutes to go, De Wit inexplicably handballed in the box from a free-kick to gift Real Madrid a penalty, which Alex converted.
Dani de Wit wat doe je? Door deze penalty verliest Ajax met 2-1 van Real Madrid en is het uitgeschakeld in de Youth League. #ziggosport pic.twitter.com/bd7mwePgyQ
— Ziggo Sport (@ZiggoSport) March 8, 2017
Ajax couldn’t recover from the setback and they are now eliminated. Real Madrid, with Dutchman Mink Peeters head onto the semi-finals where they will meet Benfica.