A first-half goal from Donny van de Beek gave Ajax a 0-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur in London on Tuesday night, in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final clash.

The young Ajax side dominated the first half, opening space all over the pitch and creating the best chances. Spurs pushed back in the second half but Ajax were only denied a second goal when David Neres’s shot came back off the inside of the post.

#Ajax in the first half = _________✍️#UCL #totaja pic.twitter.com/UYJqecz3OW

— AFC Ajax (English) (@AFCAjax_EN) April 30, 2019

‘Madrid, Turin and now London: this young Ajax team has proved beyond any shadow of doubt that even the most intimidating football temples in Europe don’t faze them in the slightest,’ said Uefa reporter Derek Brookman after the game.

The return leg takes place in Amsterdam on May 8, but before then Ajax will meet Willem II in the final of the KNVB Cup as they seek to win their first trophy since 2014.

Ajax reached the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time in 22 years by beating Juventus 1-2 in the second leg of their quarter final tie, having knocked out Real Madrid in the previous round.

🎙 De Ligt: ‘In the end it only matters to take home the win, and we did.’ #UCL #totaja pic.twitter.com/KmcqJogeJg

— AFC Ajax (English) (@AFCAjax_EN) April 30, 2019

TIMES SPORT: Spurs on the ropes #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/bhW7vYH3ux

— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) April 30, 2019

Tottenham’s starting XI boasted four former Ajax players: Toby Alderweireld (2008–13), Jan Vertonghen (2006–12), Davinson Sánchez (2016–17) and Christian Eriksen (2009–13), website Uefa.com pointed out.

Spurs were missing their strongest attacking players, Son Heung-min, who was suspended for the game, and Harry Kane, who has an ankle ligament injury. Manager Mauricio Pochettino said Kane would not be fit for the second leg in Amsterdam, but Son will be eligible to play.

Defender Jan Vertongen is another doubt after he was taken off in the first half with a head injury suffered when he clashed with Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana and team-mate Toby Alderweireld.

Barcelona play Liverpool at the Bernabeu Stadium in the first leg of the other semi-final on Wednesday night, with the return leg next Tuesday.