Champions League semifinal: From a masterful hat-trick to tears of unbridled joy and heart-wrenching sorrow

Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham trumped a young, driven and passionate Ajax in its own backyard to qualify for its maiden Champions League final.

Published : May 09, 2019 03:10 IST

I believe I can fly, I believe I can touch the sky: Lucas Moura scored a sensational second-half hat-trick as Tottenham staged a brilliant comeback to beat Ajax and reach its maiden Champions League final. Moura's winning strike came in the fifth minute of added time when he guided a shot into the bottom right from inside the box. Dele Alli parried the ball to Moura, who dodged Ajax keeper Onana to seal the match! The 2019 Champions League final: Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool. Saturday June 1.

Is this for real| An emotional Mauricio Pochettino after Tottenham beat Ajax on away goals to book a Champions League final clash with Liverpool. Tottenham is the first team to come from two goals behind in a Champions League semifinal since Manchester United in 1999 against Juventus. In an interview this week, Pochettino indicated he would consider leaving Tottenham if it won the Champions League. He moves one step closer to winning this time!

Easy as you like: The 19-year-old Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt powered a header past Tottenham keeper Hugo Lloris’s right and into the net to give the host a 1-0 lead. Spurs has conceded seven goals in the opening 15 minutes of matches in the Champions League this season; the most of any side.

Hakim Ziyech continued his goal-scoring exploits as he struck a marvellous first-time finish to hand Ajax a 2-0 lead against Tottenham in first half of the second leg of their Champions League semifinal clash. Ziyech's sublime strike in the 37th minute came when he was fed from the left by Dusan Tadic. The goal marked the third time Tadic and Ziyech had combined to score for Ajax this Champions League season, with only Kylian Mbappe and Neymar (four) having scored more together as a duo.

So close to victory... and yet so far| It had been an outstanding effort from Ajax, which right up until the last moments, looked set to be heading through. But this dramatic Champions League campaign had another twist, and it is Spurs who have set up an all English final against Liverpool, whose own comeback win over Barca yesterday may have just been topped!

NEED WE SAY MORE? Time to book the flight tickets to Madrid.

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I believe I can fly, I believe I can touch the sky: Lucas Moura scored a sensational second-half hat-trick as Tottenham staged a brilliant comeback to beat Ajax and reach its maiden Champions League final. Moura's winning strike came in the fifth minute of added time when he guided a shot into the bottom right from inside the box. Dele Alli parried the ball to Moura, who dodged Ajax keeper Onana to seal the match! The 2019 Champions League final: Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool. Saturday June 1.
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