Ajax complete 100% Champions League record with 4-2 win over Sporting

Antony (L) and Sébastian Haller celebrate the Brazilian's second goal. Photo: AFP/Kenzo Trebouillard
Antony (L) and Sébastian Haller celebrate the Brazilian’s second goal. Photo: AFP/Kenzo Trebouillard

Ajax have qualified for the knock-out stages of the Champions League with a 100% record after beating Sporting Lisbon 4-2 in Amsterdam.

Sébastian Haller converted an early penalty to set the Amsterdammers on their way, and although Nuno Santos levelled the scores on 22 minutes, the home team went ahead again when Antony unpicked the defence shortly before half-time.

Further goals from David Neres and Steven Berghuis gave Ajax a comfortable lead before Tabata pulled one back. Sporting also qualify for the last 16 thanks to their head-to-head record against Borussia Dortmund.

‘We didn’t just win every match: we won deservedly in imposing style by playing attractive football,’ said coach Erik ten Hag. ‘That’s very satisfying.’

It is only the eighth time a club has won six matches out of six in the Champions League group stages, though Bayern Munich can match that achievement if they beat Barcelona at home on Wednesday evening.

Haller has scored 10 goals in the competition so far and matched Cristiano Ronaldo’s feat in 2017 of finding the net in all six group games.

Ajax will be seeded in the draw for the last 16, which takes place on December 13.

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