LUCAS MOURA’S LAST-GASP strike took Tottenham Hotspur to the Champions League final for the first time in their history on Wednesday, completing his hat-trick and sealing an incredible 3-2 win over Ajax to leave the Dutch side heartbroken.
Ajax’s improbable European run seemed set to go on all the way to the final as they led 3-2 on aggregate deep in stoppage time in the second leg of the semi-final at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
That was when the ball broke to Lucas in the box and the Brazilian sent a low shot beyond the despairing dive of Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana to seal their comeback, making it 3-2 to them on the night, 3-3 on aggregate, and taking Mauricio Pochettino’s men through on away goals.
The Ajax players slumped to the turf, their fans stunned, as they go out and Spurs advance to face fellow comeback kings Liverpool in an all-English final in Madrid on 1 June.
Leading 1-0 after the first leg, the thrilling young Dutch side appeared to have killed the tie after captain Matthijs de Ligt and Hakim Ziyech both scored in the first half here.
That left Tottenham needing a comeback to match that of Liverpool against Barcelona the previous night, but in an even shorter amount of time.
A quickfire brace by Lucas early in the second half gave them something to cling to, before he struck the decisive blow, denying Ajax a first final since 1996.
Erik ten Hag’s team, who had already eliminated the holders, Real Madrid, and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Juventus this season, were applauded by their devastated fans at full-time and must now somehow lift themselves to try to win the Dutch title.
They had been dealt a blow just minutes before kick-off when Brazilian winger David Neres pulled out of their starting line-up after the warm-up, his place taken by the young Dane, Kasper Dolberg.
That last-minute switch did not perturb the Dutch club, though. Far from it. Dusan Tadic moved to the left wing, and Ajax set about tearing into their opponents right from the off, just as they had done in the first leg.
They won a corner after Hugo Lloris had stretched to his left to beat away a Tadic shot, and from the delivery that followed from Lasse Schoene, De Ligt rose to head home a fifth-minute opener.
Spurs — without Harry Kane but with Son Heung-min back after missing the first leg due to suspension — did threaten an immediate reply as a Son cross hit the near post, but Ajax escaped and came again, a Tadic shot that fizzed just past the far post acting as a prelude for what was to follow in the 35th minute.
This time Tadic, the former Southampton player, cut the ball back for Ziyech, whose first-time shot on his left foot flew into the far corner from a difficult angle.
It was a wonderful goal, and it had surely killed the tie.
The Spurs fans were understandably subdued, and they would not have harboured too much hope in Fernando Llorente as the big striker replaced Victor Wanyama for the second half.
Yet the way Pochettino’s side came back out after half-time echoed what Liverpool had done at Anfield 24 hours earlier.
They scored their first in the 55th minute, Lucas combining with Alli and slotting low past Onana.
Four minutes after that Onana made an improbable save from Llorente’s effort inside the six-yard box, but the ball came back to Lucas and the Brazilian turned and managed to find a corner.
He wheeled away in celebration, all too aware that Tottenham were now just one goal away from completing the turnaround.
With such tension, Ajax no longer appeared so liberated, but Ziyech twice nearly scored again, grazing the post with a first-time shot and then hitting the same upright in the 79th minute.
Jan Vertonghen hit the bar at the other end, but just when it looked like Ajax would hang on, Lucas delivered the killer blow.
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The greatest comeback of all time, unbelievable COYS-YAHOO
@Baz: Best Champions League I’ve ever witnessed!
@Baz: it’s weird but yes, this was a better achievement than Liverpool last night. Away from home needing 3 goals in second half.
@Beer Belly 0476: to spectate it is but when you reflect some of things that have happened are sad. Football is ruthless. I feel for Ajax
@Beer Belly 0476: not a single penalty shootout
@RJ: and no kane either
@Baz: I still don’t think anything will beat the Barcelona comeback vs PSG, but Liverpool and Spurs are giving them a run for their money!
@RJ: it was in me hole. Liverpool needed not only to score four, but also prevent barca from scoring a goal, and all without their two best players. Leave it out ffs
@RJ: error no. It wasn’t 4 goals needed against Barca. It was 3 against young fellas
@Tommy C: three to draw but four to win. And even with scoring four to win they still.needed to prevent barca from scoring. Funny , before the game barca were the best team in the world. After the game they were “just not as good as they used to be” etc. Goway. This was savage but Liverpool’s arguably the best champions league come back of all time. Some say it was barca vs psg but we all seen the diving and play acting in that match
@Willy Motley: Loads said this garbage l night, no one said this Barca were best in the world no one??? Where do u get these fantasy’s from overweight Suarez Messi past his prime rest of the team average incl coutinho who was a passenger….Spurs tonight was unreal 3 goals away in 45 mins without conceding another against everyone’s fav team who knocked out Real and Juve?????
@Dougal67: yeeeesss…..what a game….actually what a game times 2….
@Willy Motley: Yourself and the mentality of pretty much all Liverpool fans are the reason all neutrals will be hoping for a City victory at the weekend and a Spurs victory in the CL final.
@Willy Motley: ahh, Liverpool were at home. What happened in Barcelona, ahh let me see…
@RJ: who’s going to the final?
@Baz: including future time ?
Ajax won my heart and broke my heart
@Hirving Lozano: None of this Messi/Ronaldo shite. Origi/Llorente are generational talents
@Beer Belly 0476: not the time for funny comments. This is truly heartbreaking for Ajax
@Hirving Lozano: don’t worry I’ll get the violin out for you
@Johnny Ryan: it’s ok for you to say that. Imagine if Liverpool lost yesterday how you would have felt. Imagine how the Ajax players feel. Conceding* in the last minute. Ajax were the better team just didn’t take there chances that’s football
@Hirving Lozano: do you think Llorente is a joke?
@Hirving Lozano: are you seriously worried that ajax players will read these comments and have hurt feelings??
@Biscuits Patinkin: no what do you think melon
@Hirving Lozano: relax man, they’re professional footballers they’ll get over it
@Hirving Lozano: Ajax were very green, they should of shut up shop . They invited spurs onto them. Was gutted for Ajax myself but serious cohones shown by spurs this season
Fair play to Spurs. That was a real gutsy comeback, never thought it was on at half time. They’ll be tough to beat cos they don’t give up
@Seàn Mc: neither do Liverpool. As a Liverpool fan would’ve preferred Ajax.
35 min hat trick to put your team into the CL final. Unbelievable Jeff
2 epic comebacks in 2 days! Unbelievable.. roll on the June bank holiday
2 ot the greatest comebacks in champions league history on consecutive nights. Amazing. My faith in football has been restored.
@Damien: bang on fella. The last two nights, it doesn’t matter if you support the teams or not were a joy to watch.
@Damien: until the final goes to penalties
What is going on…
@Jack: Llorente. Llorente is going on.
@Jack: The Champions League never fails to provide! What a tournament.
I hope your man im the car didn’t get caught tonight watching the game
Arguably a better comeback than pool last night, and I’m a dyed in the wool Liverpool fan.
@BrianBoru: Sorry but no. Barca a more seasoned team.
@Simon Peters: They didn’t look it last night.Plus Spurs were away, Liverpool were at home .
@BrianBoru: Liverpool dominated a hugely decorated Barcelona. Ajax unlucky.
@Simon Peters: Barca are finished with a long time Simon. Look at last year
What a UCL tonight last night Turin x2 Paris the list goes on. Think it’s Liverpool to lose. Delighted for spurs spent nothing and are in A UCL final. The team is a team full of passion. Best of luck to both teams in final
@Ciarán O Shaughnessy: cheers Ciaran
@Ciarán O Shaughnessy: Paris?
@Beer Belly 0476: utd v psg 3-1
Never thought I’d want Liverpool to win the CL, but as an Arsenal fan here we are… #YNWA What a game though, all credit to Spurs what a comeback. Sport is unreal
My mighty spurs. Unbelievable!!!
I got that wrong fair play to spurs
@Scorpionvenomm: getting used to that aren’t ya!
@Scorpionvenomm: in fairness it’s not the first thing you have got wrong on the semi finals…..
@Johnny Ryan: I’d be worried if I was you
@Scorpionvenomm: what’s that supposed to mean
@Johnny Ryan: I’m guessing worried about losing in the final rather than overt death threat.
@Johnny Ryan: sounds like a threat against you and your personal safety
@John kane: I hope not lads. Getting worried that this big man wishes me harm
@Biscuits Patinkin: of course losing in the final lol
@Scorpionvenomm: I hope you don’t bet on football cause you’ve been getting most things wrong lately and spouting gick!! sad little worm .
And what do we say to AJAX? NOT TODAY! ;-)
Fair play to Spurs, that was class. But what were Ajax doing in injury time trying to score again when they could have ran the ball into the corner. Incredible naivety.
Good God, what a game.
Chelsea v Arsenal Europa League final and Liverpool v Spurs Champions League final. Funny considering all the hate on the premier league…
@Beer Belly 0476: the other 2 top 6 teams are from Manchester
@Beer Belly 0476: tell that to the moniker lad
@Beer Belly 0476: And the top team in the Premiership isn’t in either of the finals! Which title do you think Pep would like to win?
From a neutral point of view, i genuinely dont mind who wins. What a competition what a game
I was sure it was a Liverpool vs Ajax final at half time, unbelievable, I’m not going to either bother calling the final, an amazing two nights of football.
@Alan Brazil: I loved u as a player Brazza- good to see you’re alive and well chief
@Dec Gill: aboy Declan Trump … 2:1 to Liverpool in the final… if I am wrong I will do lap of Ahane GAA in the nip
Levy will celebrate by spending 0$ in the summer
Sad for Ajax, but that team is going to be dismantled over the summer anyway. Massive congrats to Spurs from a Liverpool fan, have an awful lot of time for The Poch.
@Orla Smith: more reason to be sorry for them surely, it was there one chance before best players leave
I will now become a Liverpool fan for one night.. And one night only. Please don’t let us down klopp and pool.
@Chonky Racoon: arsenal fan?
@Chonky Racoon: just shut up and appreciate the win
@Chonky Racoon: Not sure we want your kinda support – couple of days ago you were dead set against Liverpool. Maybe just support your own team…
@Ciarán O Shaughnessy: yah.. can’t get much worse atm.. Can only hope Liverpool lift it 6 times and Arsenal end with silverware again and spurs zilch
@seancreaven13: this is different. I’m only bantering and on the wind up at times gone by.. I respect Liverpool as a club, its spurs, united and Chelsea that I really can’t stand
Have to say it’s a better comeback than last night. Spurs had to completely switch the momentum at half time unlike Liverpool last night. Pool fan
Incredible. Congratulations to all Spurs fans from a Liverpool fan. Hope the final isn’t both teams cancelling each other out due to over familiarity and a penalty shoot out.
Well done to spurs , serious 2 nd half , never say die attitude, can’t believe these 2 teams were on there knees in group stages in last match n now look at em , c ye in Madrid ;)
Well done Spurs, a class set of semi finals
@themansam:
It’s on now boy.
@Nollaig Elliot: for sure. You could say I’m looking forward to it
Madness. What a season and what a final potentially
Last night and tonight are the reasons it’s called “The Beautiful Game” Mad, crazy, fabulous etc etc
That ladies and gentlemen is why you don’t sing “Don’t worry” at half time
Wow just wow 2 nights in a row of some serious jaw dropping football, why we love the game
Move the game to Croker
@Sean Treacy: Newbridge or nowhere!
Men against boys
Teenagers against pre-teens.
@Biscuits Patinkin: pre-teens v toddlers
@Beer Belly 0476: toddlers v newborns
@Beer Belly 0476: foetuses v glints
Jez football ehh….what a couple of nights of football.!!!!!
Can see Liverpool winning the final fairly handy. They will hold no fear of Spurs whatsoever. Ajax would have been more of an unknown.
@Damien: it’s not going to be easy whatsoever. Go in with that mentality you usually lose
@Yorkie1892: I’m not lining out for Liverpool so my attitude shouldn’t affect them too much. I just feel that an injury free liverpool team are too strong for Spurs.
@Damien: I thought City would steamroll Spurs in the quarters, look how that went. I’d have thought that after the last two nights’ football you’d realise that there are no certainties in football!
@Stephen Lyons: it’s far from a certainty. Just my opinion. I’ve been wrong once or twice before.
@Damien: can see spurs winning the final fairly handy .they will hold no fear of Liverpool whatsoever .Barcelona would have been much more of an unknown
@Dec Gill: Fair point, but if you were a betting man. Would you back a team that have lost 13 league games this season, or a team which have lost 1. Spurs can put in a good performance now and again. But overall are too inconsistent. You don’t know which spurs will turn up on the night.
@Dec Gill: stick to the horses declan
Barca comeback Vs PSG was good but it had diving Neymar throwing himself around like the blatant cheat he is, and a terrible ref. Last two nights were far more affecting for football in general.
Unbelievable stuff. Never thought I’d see us in a Champions League Final. Mental game.
Ah here!!
Tottenham have the opportunity to finish second in a major competition. What a wonderful achievement. In fairness they did well tonight but it’s Liverpool’s to lose.
Didn’t seem too much with Kane after the goal, should defo be playing in the final
The Champions League Final contested by two teams who aren’t champions in their own league. Give me the old European Cup any day.
Miracle number 3 on Sunday, Brighton beat City??
congrats to spurs, would have preferred Ajax in the final, tough one to call with the pressure being on Liverpool in final, spurs nothing to lose. let’s hope it’s a great match like the semis. ynwa
@zillas: spurs…nothing to lose? A bug final perhaps?
Don’t support either team but great game for the neutral. Watched and listened to the pundits. No one mentioned how tadic, brilliant for them this season and eldest, most experienced at 92.32 mins tried to bend it in the corner from 17 yards? Had the defender ends up could habe switched ran towards the corner for applause.
Premier League teams in the most competitive league in the world proving to the world that being 4th place doesnt mean your a weak side. Great to see Premier League teams putting their stamp on Europe again. All English final hasn’t been seen since United vs Chelsea in ’08. Thankfully we got a second go in 2012 to win a title.
Yeeeees !!! Whst a comeback what a match.. what a goal right at the death..!! Cant believe how good the spurs second choice players have been, I mean Son and Moura and Lorenta only figure if the main man is injured, and yet look how many goals they’ve scored between them.. but I have to say Lucus Moura was better than Messi when Spurs played Barcelona earlier in the campaign even though spurs lost those games.. everyone thinks Liverpool have it in the bag.. Spurs already beat the best team in England Man city so now on to the second best Liverpool ! But seriously this just goes to show all the money in the world can only get you so far, but when you play against teams with sole and belief like Liverpool and Spurs you better not take anything for granted or your end up with nothing but a huge wage bill.. good night and God bless…