UEFA Champions League semifinals delivers jaw-dropping results
The 2019 UEFA Champions League Final has been finalized, featuring an all-English matchup with Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur. This comes as a result after Liverpool beat Barcelona by an aggregate score of 4:3 and Tottenham Hotspur knocked out Ajax by 3:3 (Tottenham advance on away goals).
Ajax’s Donny van de Beek scores vs Tottenham Courtesy of FC Naija
In the first leg, Ajax beat Tottenham Hotspurs 1:0 away from home, thanks to 22-year-old Donny Van de Beek, who scored in the 15th minute after faking Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris. Ajax dominated the North London side for the first half, who were without strikers Harry Kane due to injury and Heung-Min Son due to suspension. Though Spanish target man Fernando Llorente lead the line, the lack of a dynamic striker was apparent. Furthermore, Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino’s decision to play with 3 center backs proved detrimental to the side, as it left huge space for Ajax’s midfielders to dominate possession and create chances. However, after Spurs defender Jan Vertonghen was substituted due to an injury, Pochettino brought on French midfielder Moussa Sissoko, which seemed to be the turning point of the tie. Though Spurs kept creating chances and piling pressure on Ajax, they held on to keep a clean sheet and win away from home.
Messi takes a free kick Courtesy of the18.com
In Spain, Barcelona smashed Liverpool 3:0, thanks to goals from Luis Suárez and Lionel Messi, the latter of whom scored a perfect, 30-yard free kick to cap off the Argentine striker’s 600th club goal. Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp’s decision to not play right back Trent Alexander-Arnold, opting instead for Joe Gomez, and playing Geroginio Wijnaldum as a false-9 (roaming striker), away from his natural center-midfield position, were two of the many factors that cost Liverpool the game. Suárez’s goal came in the 26th minute, with the Uruguayan running past defenders Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk to slot home easily. Messi added a second in the 75th minute, a rebound after Suárez’s initial shot hit the crossbar and scored his sublime free kick in the 82nd minute.
Divock Origi celebrating his goal Courtesy of si.com
Barcelona thought they were guaranteed a spot in the Final, but they were the team to exit the competition, losing to Liverpool 4:0 in the reverse fixture. This is despite Liverpool missing forwards Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah due to injury, who played striker Divock Origi and Xherdan Shaqiri in their places. The former proved extremely effective, scoring a rebound from captain Jordan Henderson’s initial shot within the first 7 minutes of the match. Liverpool spent the rest of the first half mostly defending against Barcelona, with goalkeeper Alisson making several vital saves to preserve their clean sheet. In the second half, Geroginio Wijnaldum came on for injured left back Andrew Robertson and he was instrumental in Liverpool’s dramatic comeback. He scored 2 goals in as many minutes, the first a powerful shot that rebounded off of Barcelona keeper Marc-André ter Stegen and the second a header. The final goal was scored by Origi again, following an irregular corner kick. Right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold was walking away from the corner flag, when he suddenly ran and crossed the ball into the box. Origi was the first to react and took a first-time shot into the top corner. Liverpool then defended for the rest of the game and pulled off one of the most dramatic comebacks in Champions League history.
Lucas Moura runs off celebrating Courtesy of CBS Sports
In Amsterdam, Tottenham pulled off another unbelievable comeback, stunning Ajax by beating them 2:3 thanks to a hat-trick from Brazilian forward Lucas Moura. Fans didn’t have to wait long for the first goal of the game, as Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt rose highest for a corner to head past Lloris in the 5th minute. Ajax’s Moroccan winger Hakim Ziyech added a second soon after in the 35th minute, shooting first time from the left side of the box. Down by 3 goals on aggregate at half-time, many fans had conceded the tie to Ajax, but Tottenham turned the tie around, courtesy of Moura and Pochettino’s tactical changes. He brought on Llorente for a defensive midfielder, focusing on creating chances from deep, using Llorente as a target man, and sending more players forward to pick the ball up. Moura’s first and third goal came after he was picked out by midfielder Dele Alli and shot with his left foot, though he had a short skillful run for his first. His second showcased his dribbling abilities, creating a chance for himself before putting it away with his left foot again.
This marks Tottenham’s first ever Champions League final and Pochettino’s biggest chance of winning his first major piece of silverware, but will they finally add a trophy to their collection? Tune in on June 2, 3 a.m. to find out.
Featured Image – The Champions League Final Fixture Courtesy of Marca
by Luke Chong