Lucas scores hat-trick as Spurs set up all-English Champions League final against Liverpool
Thursday 9 May 2019 11:54, UK
Tottenham reached the Champions League final after Lucas Moura scored a hat-trick to inspire a stunning victory over Ajax. Here's how the players performed in the second leg of the semi-final in Amsterdam...
Andre Onana - 4
The Ajax goalkeeper was almost caught out early when Heung-Min Son hit the post from a tight angle and then looked unsure in the closing stages as Spurs pressed. He made a couple of important saves but should have done better with Spurs' second goal as he failed to claim a loose ball.
Noussair Mazraoui - 5
Looked bright in the early stages but struggled late in the game as Spurs ramped up the pressure.
Matthijs De Ligt - 6
Gave Ajax the perfect start with a thumping header and then produced a brilliant last-ditch tackle to deny Lucas Moura in the second half. However, ended up on the losing side and as Ajax couldn't keep Spurs out.
Daley Blind - 5
Wasn't too troubled in the first half but struggled to deal with the physical presence of Fernando Llorente when he was introduced at the break.
Nicolas Tagliafico - 5
Like the rest of the Ajax defence, Tagliafico was found wanting in the second half.
Lasse Schone - 4
Made a crucial error when he didn't allow his goalkeeper to claim the loose ball before Spurs' second goal.
Donny van de Beek - 5
After scoring the only goal in the first leg, Van de Beek couldn't provide another telling contribution and was taken off late in the game.
Frenkie de Jong - 5
What a way for Barcelona-bound De Jong to sign off. Just 24 hours after his future club suffered Champions League heartbreak, he was left distraught by Spurs' comeback.
Hakim Ziyech - 7
Ziyech was lively throughout and produced a brilliant finish to give Ajax a 2-0 lead. However, he spurned a fine chance for a second when he fired narrowly wide after the break and then hit the post with a shot from the edge of the box. Had he taken either of those chances it might have been a different result.
Kasper Dolberg - 5
Dolberg was a late introduction into the team after David Neres was injured in the warm-up. He failed to make a telling impact and also lost the ball on several occasions.
Dusan Tadic - 6
The former Southampton forward caused problems for Tottenham and should have scored when he beat Toby Alderweireld and then dragged wide. Got an assist when he cut back for Ziyech to finish.
Subs
Joel Veltman - 5
Was supposed to shore Ajax up defensively when he was introduced in the 60th minute but couldn't help out his side.
Daley Sinkgraven - 5
Didn't help Ajax after coming on in the 67th minute for Dolberg.
Lisandro Magallan - 5
No time to impact the game.
Hugo Lloris - 6
Nothing he could do about the opening goal, but might have been positioned better to try and save Ziyech's strike? Made a couple of saves late in the game to prevent Ajax scoring a third.
Kieran Trippier - 5
The full-back had a difficult first half. He failed to track De Ligt for the opener from the corner and then lost the ball in the build-up to the second goal. Looked like he might have gone off with injury at one point but improved after the break with Spurs on the front foot and was involved in a few attacks.
Toby Alderweireld - 6
Struggled to deal with Ajax's pace in attack at times and was beaten by Tadic in the first half when he muscled past him and then fired wide. However, made a superb last-ditch block to prevent De Jong from scoring late in the game.
Jan Vertonghen - 6
Failed to help out Trippier and block De Ligt for the opening goal but did improve in the second half as Spurs started to get more control of the game.
Danny Rose - 7
Managed to get forward on a few occasions and added plenty of energy down the left. Probably one of Spurs' best players over the course of the tie.
Victor Wanyama - 5
Fortunate not to get booked in the first half after two fouls and was taken off at half-time as Spurs chased the game.
Moussa Sissoko - 6
Booked early for a strong challenge on Tagliafico and was unable to really impact the game from midfield. However, he grew into the game and moved to right-back late on with Spurs pushing for the winner.
Christian Eriksen - 6
Didn't enjoy the best return to the Johan Cruyff Arena. He spurned a good chance when he shot at Onana and wasn't at his influential best as others around him shone instead.
Dele Alli - 8
Spurs' best performer behind Lucas. He set up two good chances in quick succession during the first half and then teed up Lucas to score after being denied himself by Onana. He also got the assist for the winner to cap off one of his best displays in a while.
Lucas Moura - 9
Described as a "super hero" by Mauricio Pochettino. Lucas got Spurs back into the game with two goals in 204 seconds after the break and then showed fantastic composure to slot in the winner in injury-time.
Heung-Min Son - 6
It was hoped that Son's return would prove to be the difference for Spurs and he almost caught Onana out early on when he hit the post from a tight angle. However, he then spurned a brilliant chance at 1-0 when he poked a shot at the goalkeeper and missed a couple of opportunities in the second half.
Subs
Fernando Llorente - 7
Introduced at half-time and helped swing the game in Spurs' favour. He put extra pressure on the Ajax defence, pushing them deeper and winning aerial duels.
Erik Lamela - 5
Wasn't involved much after coming in the 81st minute.
Ben Davies - 5
Came on in the 82nd minute for Rose but didn't impact the game.
The Champions League final, the 27th in its current format and 64th of Europe's elite-club competition, will take place on June 1, 2019. Kick-off is at 8pm (BST), 9pm (CEST).
