Ajax reach first Europa League semi-finals in 20 years in extra time thriller
Amsterdam football club Ajax reached the semi-finals of the Europa League for the first time in 20 years on Thursday night, beating German side Schalke 04 in a thrilling match that went to extra time.
The Amsterdammers will now meet Lyon in the semi-finals, which take place next month.
Ajax and Lyon’s four previous meetings all came in the Champions League group stage. The Dutch side won home (2-1) and away (2-0) in the first group stage in 2001/02, before two 0-0 draws in 2011/12.
Ajax won the first leg against Schalke at home 2-0 last week and looked into be in a comfortable position, but the Germans scored twice, taking the score to level pegging.
Schalke scored again in extra time, but in the 111 minute, Nick Viergever made it 3-1, putting Ajax through on aggregate. In the 120st minute Amin Younes made it 3-2.
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