THAT WAS THE CHANCE! Not the best of openings for Benfica, but it was a shooting chance for Rafa nonetheless from 10 yards. The angle wasn't favourable, however, and Onana is able to beat it behind for a corner!
90' +2
Good tracking back from Van de Beek sees him get a foot in to break up a decent move from the hosts - the first for Benfica in some time. Ajax are seeing this out in a very professional manner, though their tactics aren't winning them any friends in Lisbon.
90'
Ajax have the ball and control of possession in the attacking half as the board goes up to indicate there will be a minimum of four minutes added on at the end of this match.
88'
Time is running very low now, and Benfica can't even get the ball forward. In need of a goal and they can't cross the halfway line - not a recipe for finding a winner. They desperately need some late magic like the kind Ajax found in the reverse fixture in Amsterdam.
86'
M. Wöber enters the game and replaces F. de Jong.
De Jong picked up a slight knock after taking a blow to his midriff, and the midfielder will be replaced for the final minutes by Wober, a natural centre-back.
85'
Into the final five minutes and Ajax have done a good job of keeping the pace slowed, not allowing Benfica to open things up and frantically push for a winner. Surely the hosts are going to have to start taking some chances soon, though. Time is of the essence right now.
83'
D. Tadić gets yellow.
Tadic becomes the seventh player booked tonight by this card-happy referee, this for dissent.
81'
Seferovic is played through on the end of an incisive delivery from Gabriel, but Blind does well to stick with the striker and force him to a bad angle, before Onana makes a comfortable save. Better from Benfica, though.
79'
The tempo has dropped off a bit, ahead of what should be a frantic last 10 minutes. A draw does next to nothing for Benfica, who need all three points. They should push on for a winner, which will leave space for Ajax on the break.
Minute
Description
75'
Pizzi enters the game and replaces Gedson Fernandes.
A last roll of the dice for Vitoria sees him bring on Pizzi for what he hopes will be some added creativity in midfield, with Fernandes the one replaced.
74'
K. Dolberg enters the game and replaces David Neres.
A positive change from Ajax as Dolberg is introduced at the expense of Neres. Ajax have not been as effective in attack without a focal point. The arrival of a true striker in Dolberg should help change that.
72'
D. van de Beek gets yellow.
Van de Beek just trips up Gabriel in midfield as he tried to break up the Brazilian's run. The referee blows for the free-kick straight away and shows a yellow to the Ajax midfielder - a six booking of the match produced by the referee.
70'
Jardel gets yellow.
Jardel catches Mazraoui with a stray challenge high up the pitch and that sees him into the book. The defender will be suspended for the next match as a result - a huge blow for them ahead of their trip to Munich.
67'
Ajax are running things at the moment. Benfica came into the match mentally fragile given their current form and the pressure on them. Jonas' goal didn't have the desired effect on their side, and now they look a defeated team following the Tadic equaliser.
65'
The match is really starting to come to life now, with Ajax especially lively. The visitors have found the spark they were sorely lacking in the first half and are really taking the match to Benfica, who seem to have had the wind knocked out of their sails.
61'
D. Tadić has scored a goal for Ajax! Assist by H. Ziyech.
The quality of the assist from Ziyech cannot be understated. His delivery travelled 30 yards in the air and dropped sensationaly straight into the path of Tadic who didn't even have to break stride.
AJAX HAVE THEIR EQUALISER! It's 1-1! They only just started playing, and are quickly rewarded! Ziyech clips an absolutely stunning ball over the top to pick out the run of Tadic, and the Serbian takes it smartly, poking the ball beyond Vlachodimos with his first touch before squeezing a finish in at the near post with his second!
60'
Slowly here you can feel the momentum start to turn a bit, as Ajax are taking charge. They're dictating possession and starting to set up camp in the attacking half, as Benfica drop off a bit.
58'
Well that's better! De Ligt finds himself very high up the pitch as part of Ajax's high press, and wins back the ball with a strong challenge on the edge of the penalty area. He quickly plays Neres through down the left, and the Brazilian crosses in for Tadic, but his header doesn't trouble Vlachodimos.
57'
There's been no improvement in Ajax's play since the restart. They have been all over the place in this match and it's time Ten Hag makes changes. He opted to play with a false nine, which worked well against Bayern, but it isn't tonight. Changes are desperately needed if they are to get back in this match.
55'
H. Seferović enters the game and replaces Jonas.
Seferovic, who started the match in Amsterdam, comes on to replace Jonas.
50'
Neres is forced into an error as a result of Benfica's high press, as he conceded possession deep in his own half. Benfica break threateningly, but Cervi slips and that's the end of that.
48'
Rafa enters the game and replaces E. Salvio.
Rafa comes on to replace the injured Salvio in a like-for-like swap on the flank.
46'
Back underway in Lisbon!
45' +3
HALF-TIME: BENFICA 1-0 AJAX.
45' +2
Fejsa tempts fate with a late and cynical challenge on De Jong, his second in as many minutes. He's got to be very careful going forward.
45' +1
L. Fejsa gets yellow.
Clumsy from Fejsa who goes through the back of Ziyech to try and win the ball, and he will see yellow. That's four bookings handed out in this first half by the referee, two for each side.
45'
Due to the stoppages for the injuries to Jonas and Salvio, there will be a minimum of three minutes added on at the end of this first-half.
44'
Ajax manage a bit of time in the final third, committing their full-backs forward for the first time in this first half, but it results in nothing. They have been a shell of themselves in this first half - Ten Hag will surely have a stern speech prepared for half-time.
42'
M. de Ligt gets yellow.
De Ligt catches Cervi as he tries to poke the ball free near the halfway line, and that will see him pick up a yellow card. It's a bit of a harsh one on the defender, as that one has more to do with the referee's patience wearing thin than the foul itself. It's gotten quite sloppy out on the pitch.
39'
Jonas gets yellow.
Jonas' temper has been running quite high over the last five minutes, since his miss. Perhaps he's upset with himself for not scoring? Nonetheless a needless and dangerous challenge into the back of De Jong up against the touchline sees him pick up a booking.
38'
Smart save! Vlachodimos gets across very smartly to deny a well-struck Ziyech free-kick from closer to 30 yards. That comes at the end of a better passage of play from Ajax.
34'
N. Tagliafico gets yellow.
A careless and untidy challenge from Tagliafico sees him into the book, which means he will be suspended for their next match against AEK Athens.
33'
That's such a sloppy goal for Ajax to concede. They were under no pressure at all, with Benfica hardly looking like scoring until a pair of unforgiving errors from Onana seconds apart to gift the hosts the lead. It's inexcusable, as well, given Benfica's recent struggles in front of goal.
29'
Jonas has scored a goal for Benfica! Assist by E. Salvio.
Salvio provides the assist, but that really boils down to Onana's howler.
BENFICA BREAK THE DEADLOCK! It's 1-0 to the hosts! An absolute gift from Onana, who rushes off his line to deal with Salvio's cross but gets nowhere close to it as it sails over his head and straight to Jonas, who turns it into an empty net!
28'
What is he thinking?! Onana is far too casual with the ball at his feet as he tries to dribble his way beyond Jonas, nearly gifting the ball to the striker before scrambling and booting it out of play. That's a real waste of possession.
26'
Jonas tries his luck from distance, missing the target from close to 30 yards. It's at least an attempt towards goal, as the striker urges his team-mates to pick up the pace following the miss.
25'
The majority of this match has been played in the middle third of the pitch. Intent is lacking from both sides, as is urgency. With the exception of the Cervi chance, there hasn't been a single memorable attack.
23'
Ajax are showing a bit more quality on the ball, at least managing to get the ball forward at times - though they've done precious little with it. Benfica are really struggling to string passes together, with Ajax doing a great job of swarming the ball. There's three black shirts surrounding every Benfica player in possession.
21'
It's been very congested through the opening 20 minutes. Neither side has had much success trying to pass their way through a crowded midfield. It's being played at a walking pace thus far.
17'
Ajax are settled in possession since the restart, but they're largely just passing it around at the back. A long ball over the top results in an offside, and then another moments later is sent forward to no one, but Fejsa needlessly puts the ball out of play for an Ajax throw.
10'
Ajax have yet to get going in this match. They're lacking any semblance of pace in possession, and their high pressing off the ball has felt both robotic and delayed. They seem to be going through the motions more than anything thus far.
5'
There is of course massive pressure on the Benfica boss, given their recent struggles in the league as well. Defeat tonight could very well cost him his job, so it will be interesting - and quite telling - to see how his players respond.
3'
Ajax have calmed things down following somewhat of a lively start from the hosts. The Dutch outfit enjoy playing free-flowing, high-pace football as much as anyone, but given the magnitude of the occasion and what's at stake, they will likely take a bit more of a reserved approach tonight.
1'
AND THEY'RE OFF! Benfica get this massive Group E tie underway, in their famous red tops, with Ajax in their black and gold away strip.
A fast start from Benfica, which is exactly what the doctor ordered. Their intentions are on display as Grimaldo lashes a well-struck effort at goal from 25 yards, but Onana does very well to make the save and catch, making it look easier than it actually was.
Hello and welcome to live coverage of this Champions League match as Benfica welcome Ajax to Estadio da Luz for a crucial Group E tie!
Noussair Mazraoui struck deep into stoppage-time in the reverse fixture in Amsterdam to claim a massive three points for Ajax, keeping them atop the group as they took a big step towards the knockout stage, while putting all the pressure on Benfica.
The defeat in Amsterdam essentially makes this a must-win for Benfica, who need to start closing the gap on Ajax. With just two matches to come after this, Rui Vitoria’s side are running out of time to play catch-up.
Ajax, meanwhile, have eyes on a first-place finish in Group E. Progressing to the knockout stage in the priority, but should they complete the double over Benfica tonight they will have a realistic shot of edging Bayern for top spot, given they already earned a draw in Munich and the German outfit will visit Amsterdam on the final matchday.
CONFIRMED TEAM NEWS:
A draw would leave Benfica four points adrift of Ajax ahead of the final two matches. At that point they would likely have to win out – no easy task with a trip to Munich still to come – while hoping Ajax drop points in both of their last two matches.
BENFICA (4-5-1): Odisseas Vlachodimos; Andre Almeida, Ruben Dias, Jardel, Alex Grimaldo; Eduardo Salvio, Gedson Fernandes, Ljubomir Fejsa, Gabriel Pires, Franco Cervi; Jonas.
AJAX (4-3-3): Andre Onana; Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs de Ligt, Daley Blind, Nicolas Tagliafico; Lasse Schone, Frenkie de Jong, Donny van de Beek; Hakim Ziyech, David Neres, Dusan Tadic.
SUBS: Alfa Semedo, Pizzi, Haris Seferovic, Nicolas Castillo, Mile Svilar, Filip Krovinovic, Rafa.
SUBS: Dani de Wit, Maximilian Wober, Zakaria Labyad, Rasmus Kristensen, Kostas Lamprou, Kasper Dolberg, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.
An Andre Onana error gifted Jonas the opener as Benfica lead at the interval in Lisbon. Chances have been few and far between in a rather sloppy and uneventful first half, with Ajax seemingly sleepwalking through the duration until a glorious chance to restore parity right at the death went begging - both Donny van de Beek and Frenkie de Jong missing open nets.
Perhaps the late chance will spark Ajax to life in the second half, as they were very poor up unto that point. Benfica have equally struggled, only opening the score thanks to a goalkeeping howler. The match is very much there for the taking for the side that finds their legs first.
Ajax travel to face AEK Athens next where a win will be enough to secure their spot in the knockout stage, though even a defeat would do should Benfica lose to Bayern in Munich. That's all for our live coverage, thanks for following along. Goodbye!
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