Ajax hit back to cancel out Ronaldo goal

Ajax’s dream run in this season’s Champions League has every chance of continuing after they held Juventus in last night’s quarter-final first-leg tie in Amsterdam.

The Dutch side weren’t rattled by a goal from Cristiano Ronaldo on the stroke of half-time, equalising immediately after the break to secure the draw in a game that was marred by pre-match fan clashes.

Showing increasing confidence after eliminating three-time defending champions Real Madrid in the last 16, Ajax produced more chances early on but then let Ronaldo waltz through their defence to head in a cross in the 45th minute. Ronaldo, returning from a two-week injury lay-off, bulleted the ball home before running to celebrate in the corner.

In the opening minute of the second half, David Neres capitalised on an error from Juventus winger Jose Cancelo – who provided the cross for Ronaldo’s goal – and curled a shot into the far top corner.

Juventus nearly won it when Douglas Costa hit the post five minutes from time.

The second leg is scheduled for next Tuesday in Turin, with the winner facing Manchester City or Tottenham in the semi-finals.