Ajax maintained their 100% winning record in this season’s Champions League group stage and ensured their progression to the knockout phase with a 3-1 victory over 10-man Borussia Dortmund.
In a game fraught with controversy, Mats Hummels was sent off in the first half, though that did not stop Borussia Dortmund going 1-0 up before the break. After holding firm in the early stages of the second period, Ajax eventually broke their resistance, scoring three without reply to earn victory.
After an even start the match was turned on its head when Hummels was shown a straight red card for what referee Michael Oliver deemed an out-of-control sliding tackle.
The dismissal was upheld after a VAR review and Oliver was running over to the big screen again soon after, following his decision to award Dortmund a penalty. Jude Bellingham was brought down in the box under minimal contact with the technology upholding the call, allowing Marco Reus to put his side ahead.
After a poor response Ajax finally got back in the contest with Dusan Tadic nodding home at the back post with 72 minutes on the clock.
The visitors continued to press and Sebastien Haller soon closed the gap on Robert Lewandowski at the top of the goalscoring charts by heading Antony’s cross past Gregor Kobel. Davy Klaassen then put the match beyond all doubt in second-half injury time.
The result means Ajax have a maximum 12 points after four games, leaving Dortmund and Sporting CP – both on six points – in a battle for second place in Group C. Lowly Besiktas, meanwhile, are propping up the table having lost all of their games.
Here are your BVB player ratings…
Gregor Kobel (GK) – 5/10 – If we’re being harsh, he might have done better with all three goals.
Thomas Meunier (RB) – 4/10 – The defence’s weak link. Very wasteful.
Mats Hummels (CB) – 2/10 – It’s a difficult one. Should he have been sent off? Maybe not. Should he have given the referee a decision to make? Absolutely not. Poor from an experienced player.
Manuel Akanji (CB) – 6/10 – Might have done better to deny Haller another goal, but he was pretty exhausted at that point from all the defending he had to do.
Marius Wolf (LB) – 7/10 – Picked up an injury just before the hour mark. Solid as ever before that.
Julian Brandt (CM) – 6/10 – His delivery and passing from open play were Dortmund’s primary source of chances.
Axel Witsel (CM) – 7/10 – Put in a monumental shift, ending with five tackles and three clearances.
Jude Bellingham (CM) – 8/10 – Missed a big chance in the early stages. His energy and creativity was so important when he team went down to ten and he won the penalty. Won 11 of his 17 ground duels too.
Thorgan Hazard (RW) – 6/10 – Started okay but was sacrificed when Hummels was given his marching orders.
Steffen Tigges (ST) – 4/10 – Bit of a stinker really. Lost possession a lot. The sooner Erling Haaland returns, the better.
Marco Reus (LW) – 7/10 – Big shift defensively and made no mistake from the spot. The skipper led by example.
Marin Pongracic (CB) – 5/10 – Fluffed his clearance which allowed Tadic to score. After that, the floodgates opened.
Felix Passlack (LB) – 5/10
Donyell Malen (ST) – N/A
Ansgar Knauff (LW) – N/A
