Match report

Benfica Hold Ajax to a Thrilling 2-2 Draw in Champions League Clash

Benfica
Benfica
2–2
FT
Ajax
Ajax
Feb 23, 2022

Benfica secured a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Ajax in their UEFA Champions League encounter. The match was marked by an early goal from Dusan Tadic for Ajax, followed by an own goal and another tally from Sebastián Haller to extend the lead. Benfica rallied with Rafa Silva Yaremchuk’s late strike, ensuring a dramatic tie.

Key Facts

  • • Ajax scored first through Dusan Tadic at 18 minutes.
  • • Sebastián Haller's own goal for Benfica occurred in the 26th minute.
  • • Haller redeemed himself with a normal goal for Ajax in the 29th minute.
  • • Benfica equalized via Rafa Silva Yaremchuk's strike at 72 minutes.

Lineups

Benfica

Formation: 4-4-1-1

Starting XI

  • 99 O. Vlachodimos (G)
  • 5 J. Vertonghen (D)
  • 30 N. Otamendi (D)
  • 2 Gilberto (D)
  • 3 Álex Grimaldo (D)
  • 49 A. Taarabt (M)
  • 27 Rafa Silva (M)
  • 28 J. Weigl (M)
  • 7 Éverton (M)
  • 9 D. Núñez (F)
  • 88 Gonçalo Ramos (F)

Substitutes

  • 15 R. Yaremchuk
  • 55 Paulo Bernardo
  • 17 Diogo Gonçalves
  • 22 V. Lazaro
  • 11 S. Meïté
  • 31 Gil Dias
  • 91 Morato
  • 72 Tomás Araújo
  • 20 João Mário
  • 23 N. Radonjić
  • 77 Helton Leite

Ajax

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 32 R. Pasveer (G)
  • 17 D. Blind (D)
  • 12 N. Mazraoui (D)
  • 21 L. Martínez (D)
  • 2 J. Timber (D)
  • 4 E. Álvarez (M)
  • 8 R. Gravenberch (M)
  • 10 D. Tadić (M)
  • 23 S. Berghuis (M)
  • 22 S. Haller (F)
  • 11 Antony (M)

Substitutes

  • 6 D. Klaassen
  • 31 N. Tagliafico
  • 15 D. Rensch
  • 16 J. Gorter
  • 25 K. Taylor
  • 24 A. Onana
  • 26 V. Jensen
  • 20 M. Kudus
  • 30 M. Daramy
  • 9 Danilo
  • 3 P. Schuurs

Timeline

  1. Ajax
    18' Ajax Goal · Normal Goal
    D. Tadić · Assist: N. Mazraoui
  2. Ajax
    23' Ajax Card · Yellow Card
    N. Mazraoui

    Foul

  3. Benfica
    26' Benfica Goal · Own Goal
    S. Haller
  4. Ajax
    29' Ajax Goal · Normal Goal
    S. Haller
  5. Ajax
    45' Ajax Card · Yellow Card
    S. Berghuis

    Foul

  6. Benfica
    46' Benfica Card · Yellow Card
    D. Núñez

    Foul

  7. Benfica
    49' Benfica Card · Yellow Card
    G. Ramos

    Foul

  8. Benfica
    62' Benfica subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Éverton · On: R. Yaremchuk
  9. Benfica
    72' Benfica Goal · Normal Goal
    R. Yaremchuk
  10. Benfica
    73' Benfica Card · Yellow Card
    R. Yaremchuk
  11. Ajax
    73' Ajax subst · Substitution 1
    Off: R. Gravenberch · On: D. Klaassen
  12. Ajax
    73' Ajax subst · Substitution 2
    Off: D. Blind · On: N. Tagliafico
  13. Benfica
    85' Benfica subst · Substitution 2
    Off: A. Taarabt · On: P. Bernardo
  14. Ajax
    87' Ajax Card · Yellow Card
    Antony

    Argument

  15. Ajax
    90'+2 Ajax subst · Substitution 3
    Off: N. Mazraoui · On: D. Rensch
  16. Benfica
    90' Benfica subst · Substitution 4
    Off: D. Núñez · On: V. Lazaro

Match Stats

Stat Benfica Ajax
Fouls 13 18
Pass Accuracy 76% 85%
Offsides 0 3
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 17 11
Corners 7 2
Total Passes 313 475
Yellow Cards 3 3
Blocked Shots 6 0
Shots on Target 4 8
Shots off Target 7 3
Possession 40% 60%
Accurate Passes 239 405
Shots Inside Box 12 7
Saves 7 3
Shots Outside Box 5 4

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ The turning point of the match was Sebastián Haller scoring an own goal, allowing Benfica to stay in contention despite trailing early on.
  • ▸ Benfica's comeback came through Rafa Silva Yaremchuk’s goal with 20 minutes left, setting up a tense finale.