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| Ajax had eliminated Real Madrid and Juventus in the past two rounds of the Champions League |
Tottenham need to overturn a one-goal deficit to reach the Champions League final after losing at home to Ajax in the first leg of their semi-final.
The Dutch side gained a valuable away goal when Donny van de Beek collected Hakim Ziyech’s pass and calmly shot past Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
Fernando Llorente and Toby Alderweireld both wasted good chances for the hosts by heading off target when unmarked.
Ajax’s David Neres nearly added a second but his shot hit the post.
Tottenham have never reached the final of the Champions League or European Cup and need to score in the second leg in Amsterdam on Wednesday, 8 May to have any chance.
Spurs could be without defender Jan Vertonghen for that match after he suffered a suspected broken nose when involved in an accidental collision with team-mate Alderweireld and Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana.
Vertonghen, who also appeared to be suffering from concussion, was briefly allowed to come back on to the pitch, before he had to be helped down the tunnel by the Spurs’ medical team.
The winners of the tie will meet either Barcelona or Liverpool in the final in Madrid on 1 June.
