RONALDO STRIKES BUT AJAX ARE STILL FIGHTING

THIS season’s feelgood story, gallant Ajax, are by no means done yet. That barmy night in the Bernabeu may not be the pinnacle after all. Juventus endured a scare in Amsterdam, muted by Dutch vibrancy on an evening that showed this exciting young team are not merely satisfied with registering a first quarterfinal appearance in 16 years. Ajax head for Turin with something to hold and that represents a far more manageable task than against Real Madrid in the last 16. We know what happened there. That they continue to compete is a triumph for the way they are attempting to narrow the financial gap. This team will disband in the summer, with Frenkie De Jong off to Barcelona and the imperious captain Matthijs De Ligt, 19, also likely to depart. Erik ten Hag’s Eredivisie leaders are only enjoying this ride together for a few more weeks — but will take heart by how they responded to adversity last night. Cristiano Ronaldo (right) rolled one out to Joao Cancelo and galloped towards the home box seconds before half-time. Cancelo surveyed his surroundings to find Ronaldo having got the run on De Jong. A perfectly-weighted clip, a trademark Ronaldo flying header and Juve were ahead. This was the striker’s 125th Champions League goal and his 41st in the quarter-final stage alone. But Ajax were superb. Donny van de Beek diverted wide when stretching and Hakim Ziyech forced a Wojciech Szczesny save. A stunning equaliser arrived just 30 seconds after the break. Cancelo miscontrolled and David Neres made him pay, twisting and turning before bending into the top corner. Meanwhile, Dutch police said they had detained dozens of Italians suspected of possessing flares, a knife, pepper spray and fireworks.