The Night Ajax Rewrote Champions League History at the Bernabeu
In what will be remembered as one of the most spectacular Champions League comebacks of all time, Ajax Amsterdam delivered a masterclass performance to eliminate defending champions Real Madrid 5-3 on aggregate. The 4-1 victory at Santiago Bernabeu marked not just a triumph for the Dutch underdogs but signaled the end of an era for Real Madrid’s European dominance.
As Crickex experts noted in our pre-match analysis, Ajax came into this second leg with nothing to lose and everything to gain. Trailing 2-1 from the first leg, Erik ten Hag’s young squad needed to score at least twice at the fortress that had seen Real Madrid lift four of the last five Champions League trophies. What followed was 90 minutes of footballing poetry that left the football world in awe.
Tactical Masterclass: How Ajax Outplayed the Champions
First Half Blitz Sets the Tone
The match started with Real Madrid nearly killing the tie in the 4th minute when Raphael Varane’s header crashed against the woodwork. But Ajax responded with the kind of fearless football that would define their night:
- 7th minute: Dusan Tadic dispossessed Sergio Reguilon and set up Hakim Ziyech for a composed finish past Thibaut Courtois
- 18th minute: Tadic again the architect, dancing through Madrid’s defense before feeding David Neres who rounded Courtois to double the lead
Former Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez, speaking to Crickex, noted: “Ajax’s pressing and positional play was reminiscent of peak Barcelona. They played without fear and completely outthought Madrid’s experienced players.”
Second Half Brilliance Seals the Deal
After surviving some Real pressure before halftime, Ajax came out with the same intensity after the break:
- 62nd minute: Tadic scored a contender for goal of the tournament, rifling a thunderous shot into the top corner after a flowing counter-attack
- 72nd minute: Marco Asensio gave Madrid brief hope with a close-range finish
- 74th minute: Lasse Schöne’s audacious free-kick from an impossible angle looped over Courtois to restore Ajax’s three-goal advantage
Player Ratings: Tadic Delivers Performance for the Ages
Real Madrid’s Nightmare
- Thibaut Courtois (4/10): Beaten four times, looked shaky throughout
- Sergio Reguilon (3/10): At fault for first goal, struggled against Ziyech
- Luka Modric (5/10): Overrun in midfield, unable to influence game
Ajax’s Heroes
- Matthijs de Ligt (9/10): Towering defensive performance from the teenage captain
- Frenkie de Jong (8/10): Controlled midfield with his composure and vision
- Dusan Tadic (10/10): Goal, two assists, and complete domination of Madrid‘s defense
Statistical Breakdown: Records Tumble at Bernabeu
- First time reigning champions failed to reach quarterfinals since Chelsea in 2012-13
- Real Madrid‘s heaviest ever home defeat in European knockout football
- Ajax’s first knockout stage progression in 22 years
- Dusan Tadic became only the second Ajax player to score 6+ goals in a Champions League campaign
What This Means for Both Clubs
For Real Madrid, this defeat likely marks the end of Santiago Solari’s brief tenure as manager. As Crickex insider Carlos Ruiz reports: “The board sees this as unacceptable and changes are imminent, with Zinedine Zidane potentially returning.”
For Ajax, this victory announces their return to European football’s elite. Manager Erik ten Hag told Crickex: “This proves our model works. We develop young players who can compete with the best.”
Looking Ahead: New Era for Both Clubs
As both teams return to domestic action this weekend, the ramifications of this result will continue to unfold. Real Madrid must regroup quickly for their La Liga clash at Valladolid, while Ajax can approach their Eredivisie match at Fortuna Sittard with renewed confidence.
This match will be remembered not just for the scoreline, but for how Ajax’s fearless approach dismantled the most successful Champions League team of the modern era. As our Crickex analysts concluded: “This wasn’t just an upset – it was a tactical and philosophical revolution that could change how we view European football.”
