Ajax moves into Europa League round of 16, but PSV are out after a late goal

Ajax's David Neres celebrates his late goal. Photo: Patrick Post / AP
Ajax’s David Neres celebrates his late goal. Photo: Patrick Post / AP

Amsterdam football club Ajax move into the last 16 of this year’s Europa League competition, following a 2:1 home win over French league leaders Lille on Thursday evening.

The French side, who lost the first leg at home, pressed from the start, but fell behind to a Davy Klaassen header. In the second half, Lille equalised from a penalty but David Neres made the Amsterdammers’ progression in the competition a certainty with a crucial late clincher. Match report

‘Last week [in Lille] we played the perfect match, except for the fact that we went behind,’ Dutch coach Erik ten Hag told the Uefa website after the game. ‘Tonight we didn’t reach the same level, because you can’t always produce great football, but we showed we can fight for the result. Even when you don’t play as well as you can, you still have to win.’

PSV, also hoping to progress to the round of 16, seems well on their way against Olympiacos, and were leading 2-0 until Ahmed Hassan netted a late aggregate winner for the Greek side. Match report

Ajax will meet Swiss side BSC Young Boys in the round of 16, with the first leg taking place on March 11.

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