Wednesday's Champions League Group F clash in Amsterdam pitted Ajax against Barcelona.
The visitors led 1-0 at the interval following a header from Lionel Messi.
Ajax's task became harder after 71 minutes when Joel Veltman was sent from the field and Messi had his second for Barcelona five minutes later.
The brace for Messi has left the Argentine level on 71 Champions League goals with former Real Madrid forward Raul.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Hello all! Sports Mole's live Champions League coverage continues from Amsterdam this evening as Ajax welcome Barcelona. Right, before we get down to the facts and figures of this one, let me bring you up-so-speed with the all-important team news.
TEAMS
AJAX: Cillessen; Van Rhijn, Veltman, Moisander, Boilesen; Klaassen, Serero, Andersen; El Ghazi, Sigthorsson, Schone
BARCA: Ter Stegen; Alves, Bartra, Mascherano, Alba; Busquets, Xavi, Rakitic; Neymar, Messi, Suarez
So there we have it. No real surprises in the Ajax back five this evening, but there is a start in midfield for Thulani Sereno, who has recently returned from a hamstring injury. There is also a place in attack for Anwar El Ghazi, who scored at the Camp Nou last month. As expected, Kolbeinn Sigthorsson will lead the line.
Barcelona are without Andres Iniesta and Jeremy Mathieu this evening, while Gerard Pique remains out of favour, with the Spaniard starting on the bench. Marc-Andre ter Stegen gets the nod in goal, while the front three is as expected, with Luis Suarez once again joining Neymar and Lionel Messi.
There is a bit of extra spice to this match for Suarez, who will line up against his old club . The Uruguay international represented Ajax between 2007 and 2011, scoring an incredible 111 goals in 159 games for the Dutch outfit before moving onto Liverpool. It will be interesting to see what kind of reaction the crowd give him on what will be his first Champions League appearance for Barca.
The two sides met just two weeks ago in matchday three. In truth, it was a fairly one-sided fixture, with Barcelona running out 3-1 winners at the Camp Nou. That result moved Barca onto six points in Group F, but left Ajax, who sit third in the table, still without a win in this season's competition.
In fact, victory for Barcelona this evening would secure qualification for the knockout stage of the competition if APOEL fail to beat Paris Saint-Germain in Group F's other fixture. Ajax, meanwhile, need at least a point tonight to retain any real hope of qualifying from the section.
The Dutch outfit, however, have not made it out of the group stages of the Champions League since the 2002-03 campaign, when they reached the quarter-finals. They have also struggled in the Europa League, falling at the last 32-stage of that particular competition in four of the last five seasons.
Barcelona were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Champions League by Atletico Madrid last season, but that was the first time that they had failed to reach at least the semi-finals of the competition since the 2006-07 campaign. The four-time winners last picked up the trophy in 2011.
As mentioned, Ajax are still winless in Group F after suffering a 3-1 defeat to Barcelona last time out. They opened with a 1-1 draw against PSG, before APOEL secured a home point against the Dutch side. That said, Ajax are unbeaten in each of their last four European games in this stadium.
It is also worth remembering that Ajax beat Barcelona 2-1 when the two sides met in this stadium last season. That victory ended a run of four consecutive home defeats against Spanish opposition, with their overall record at home to La Liga sides now reading played 17, won nine, drawn three and lost five. It is a tough ask this evening, but they do have previous against Barcelona.
Ajax have made a decent start to their domestic season, meanwhile, with 23 points from their 11 matches leaving them second in the Eredivisie, four points behind the leaders PSV Eindhoven. At the weekend, they were 4-0 winners over Dordrecht in the league.
In fact, Ajax have scored 11 times in their three matches since losing to Barcelona last month, with Lasse Schone among the goals for the Dutch side. They are still without the talented Viktor Fischer, but they certainly have players that can cause Barcelona problems this evening.
© Getty Images
Barcelona, however, are not in good form in the league. They started the season in spectacular fashion, winning seven of their opening eight games – failing to concede a single goal in the process – but they have lost their last two in the league. A mini-crises for a club like Barcelona!
The defeat at Real Madrid would have hurt them, especially after taking the lead at the Bernabeu, but the Spanish side incredibly lost at home to Celta Vigo at the weekend. They did hit the crossbar four times in addition to creating a number of clear chances, but the only statistic that matters saw them fail to register at the Camp Nou. The supporters will want a response this evening.
Messi, meanwhile, will continue his pursuit of the Champions League goals record this evening. The Argentine has scored 69 times in the competition and now sits just two behind former Real Madrid striker Raul. It is inevitable that the attacker will break that record, as will Cristiano Ronaldo.
Looking ahead, following this match, Barcelona travel to Almeria in the league at the weekend, before welcoming in-form Sevilla after the international break. They then travel to APOEL in the Champions League, before making the trip to a talented Valencia side on November 30. What a month!
Here's a word from Suarez before the match: "It's a great source of happiness to play in the Champions League; I want to enjoy it. If I score I won't celebrate, though, because I really respect Ajax. I will be delighted to score my first goal for Barcelona, but I won't celebrate," he told uefa.com.
PREDICTION! I am expecting it a tight match in Amsterdam. Ajax are strong on their own patch, while Barcelona are not in the best of form. That said, I think the visitors will ultimately have just a little bit too much in attack. My score prediction is 2-1 Barcelona.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium this evening. Let's hope the football matches it!
You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital this evening. Right, the away side get the first 45 minutes of this European affair underway in Amsterdam.
As expected, the visitors have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes, with Xavi and Rakitic enjoying early touches in the middle of the park. That will be the pattern this evening - Barcelona in control of the ball and Ajax hoping to threaten on the counter-attack.
Messi comes close to breaking into the Ajax box following a through pass from Xavi, but the Argentine cannot collect. The home side are down the other end with Sereno moments later, but Bartra is on hand to make the clearance. Good tempo to the opening four minutes in Amsterdam.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Neymar has the ball in the back of the net for the away side, but Alba was adjudged to have been offside when he collected a through pass from Messi.
Not too much to report in terms of pressure from the home side thus far, with Barcelona in control of the possession. Suarez attempts to feed a pass into Messi, but Veltman is on hand to make the challenge. As expected, the opening seven minutes have been just a little bit cagey.
BOOKING! Mascherano is booked for a poor challenge on Sereno in the middle of the park. The referee has been more and more involved in the last couple of minutes.
BOOKING! El Ghazi now goes into the book for a late challenge on Busquets. The referee has gone card crazy. Two challenges and two yellow cards already.
Busquets stays down following that challenge from El Ghazi, but it does appear that the Spaniard will be fit to continue. That incident has just calmed the atmosphere inside the stadium.
Well, 13 minutes played and Ajax can be fairly pleased with their start to this match. Barcelona have not really started yet, despite dominating possession of the ball. We have seen no signs of a link between Suarez, Neymar and Messi, but I am certain that will come as time progresses.
Half-chance for Barcelona as Rakitic finds space outside the box before sliding in Neymar, but the Brazilian cannot move past the challenge of Van Rhijn. Rakitic delivers into the box moments later, but Cillessen is on hand to collect. Ajax break with Sereno, but Alba is across to clear the danger.
Good spell for the home side in the last couple of moments, with Sigthorsson and Schone combining in the final third, but the former takes one touch too many and the danger is cleared. Barcelona are down the other end moments later, but Rakitic's low cross is cleared by Veltman.
CHANCE! Ajax's best chance by some distance comes to Andersen as the midfielder curls one from outside the box following a sweeping move, but it just moves wide of the post. Brilliant football from the hosts, with El Ghazi's pace causing problems to Barcelona.
Another half-chance for Barcelona as Messi combines with Neymar inside the box, but the Argentine cannot drive past Veltman, with the centre-back making the clearance. The pressure continues from Barcelona in a wide position, but the home side manage to ride out the difficult spell.
Andersen is again involved for the home side as the midfielder drives past two defenders before advancing into the Barca box, but the number 16 just loses control at the vital moment. Barcelona are down the other end with Messi moments later, but his pass finds Neymar in an offside position.
Half-chance for Schone, but the Ajax midfielder's effort is wide of the post.
Barcelona have not got much of a midfield at the moment, with Mascherano having to look long each time he has possession at the back. Ajax are the better team with 26 minutes on the clock, but the score remains goalless. It has been a very entertaining fixture in Amsterdam.
CLOSE! Another chance for the home side as Andersen delivers a wicked cross towards the far post, but Alba is on hand to make a brilliant clearance. Moments later, Klaassen meets a loose ball just inside the box, but Ter Stegen is across to make the save.
Half-chance for Suarez this time as the attacker picks up possession outside the box before releasing an attempt, but Veltman makes a fine block. Suarez really needs to move further inside.
Messi drives into the Ajax box before releasing a low cross, but Cillessen is out to claim.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Barcelona as Messi slides a brilliant pass into Alba, who attempts to place one into the bottom corner, but CIllessen is on hand to make the save.
Ajax have a free kick in a wide area as Alba kicks El Ghazi on the ground. The resulting set piece is delivered by Schone, but Mascherano just did enough to unnerve El Ghazi, who hit the deck moments later, but the referee was not interested. Controversial moment here!
BOOKING! Veltman is booked for a late lunge on Neymar.
SAVE! Messi takes the free kick, but Cillessen is on hand to make the save.
GOAL! Ajax 0-1 Barcelona (Messi)
Barcelona take the lead with 36 minutes on the clock and it is a scrappy, scrappy goal. Cillessen comes to claim a high ball inside the box, but the goalkeeper loses out to Bartra, who crosses for Messi to head home. Poor goalkeeping it must be said, but Messi will not mind!
El Ghazi hits the deck for the home side and it does not look too good here...
BOOKING! Moisander is booked for a late challenge on Moisander.
Ajax just need to keep their heads in the latter stages of the half. They were unhappy that Barcelona did not play the ball out when El Ghazi picked up a head injury and minutes later, they were behind. Another goal for the visitors at this stage of the match could prove vital it must be said.
BOOKING! Alba is now booked for a lunge on Schone.
Messi's goal, by the way, has put him on 70 in the Champions League. That is level with a certain Cristiano Ronaldo and one behind Raul. Will the Argentine break that record this evening?
Brilliant defending from Veltman as the centre-back denies Neymar with a last-ditch challenge. The away side have just started to turn the screw since taking that lead through Messi.
BOOKING! Alves is now in the book for a late challenge on Schone.
HALF-TIME: Ajax 0-1 Barcelona
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Barcelona leading 1-0. In truth, the home side are unfortunate to be behind here, with Barcelona struggling to find top form. A header from Messi - his 70th Champions League goal - is the difference between the two teams.
STATS! The home side have shaded the possession with 52%, while they have had six attempts, just one of which has been on target. Barcelona, meanwhile, have registered three attempts on target. The referee has been keen to produce his card, meanwhile, with six bookings in total. Will there be a red in the second 45? I would certainly not rule it out.
BENCH WATCH! The home side have a host of attacking players on their bench this evening, with the likes of Kishna, Milik and Zimling all capable of making a difference. Barcelona, meanwhile, also have plenty of talent in the shape of Munir El-Haddadi, Pedro and Rafinha.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second 45 minutes. Can Ajax respond? They do not deserve to be behind. Barca get the second period underway here.
No changes from either manager at the interval, which is not much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both teams could make alterations if the score remains 1-0 for the next 20 minutes or so.
Possession football from the away side in the early moments of the second period, which is needed to just quieten the home supporters. Messi threads a ball into Suarez, but Veltman is across to challenge. Truth be told, Suarez has not been too involved for the Catalan outfit thus far this evening.
Neymar rattles the post for the away side after breaking into the box, but the Brazilian was adjudged to have fouled Sereno moments before and therefore it would not have counted.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the early stages of the second period, but Barcelona have looked the team more likely to make something happen. You just get the feeling that Ajax need to score the next goal if they are to stand a chance of taking something from this match.
Barcelona have control of the match at the moment, with the home side just struggling to find that elusive pass in the final third. The referee, meanwhile, has been called into action to intervene following a number of late challenges. it has been an untidy match in that sense truth be told.
El Ghazi is not happy as the forward goes down under a challenge from Alba, but the referee is not interested. Alba has already been booked so that would have been interesting. Little over 30 minutes remaining in Amsterdam and the two sides are still separated by that Messi header.
Half-chance for the home side this time as Klaassen works his way into the box before attempting to poke one towards goal, but Alba is across to make a brilliant challenge. Better from the hosts.
CHANCE! Incredible chance for Suarez to open his Barcelona tally after driving unmarked into the Ajax box, but his effort is straight at Cillessen. Not Suarez's night thus far!
Van Rhijn is lucky to escape a yellow as the right-back brings Neymar to the ground some 45 yards from goal. The resulting free kick is played short, however, and Ajax get men behind the ball.
Half-chance for Xavi this time as Busquets finds his fellow midfielder outside the box, but his effort is straight at the Ajax goalkeeper. Little over 25 minutes of football remaining in Amsterdam.
SUB! Ajax make their first change as Milik replaces Sigthorsson.
You just get the feeling that there is at least one more goal in this match. Barcelona are in control of the possession, but Ajax have a threat on the counter. Suarez has another half-chance for the away side, but the attacker's cross does not find Messi. Again, not great from the Uruguayan.
Little over 20 minutes of football remaining and still no movement on the Barcelona bench. It would not be a surprise to see a change in midfield - that area has not really worked for Barca tonight. The home supporters are doing their best to rally their side as the second period advances.
POST! Incredible chance for the home side to level as Milik meets a deep cross from Sereno, but the forward's header hits the outside of the post. What an opportunity!
Not too much to report in terms of Barcelona pressure in the last few minutes, with the home side now the team on the front foot. Still no movement on the away side's bench, which is strange.
RED CARD! (VELTMAN) Ajax are reduced to 10 men as Veltman picks up his second yellow card for a late challenge on Messi. Poor decision from the defender.
The resulting free kick is taken by Messi, but his effort drops high of the crossbar.
SUB! Ajax make their second change as Riedewald replaces Andersen.
Possession football from Barcelona in the last couple of moments as they attempt to make use of the extra man. It is going to be very difficult for the home side to respond after that red card.
SUB! Barcelona make their first change as Neymar is replaced by Pedro.
GOAL! Ajax 0-2 Barcelona (Messi)
Messi goes level with Raul on 71 Champions League goals as the Argentine converts a low cross from Pedro, who has made an immediate impact. Game over in terms of this match.
Messi wants that record this evening and Barcelona are all over Ajax like a rash...
SAVE! Cillessen makes a super save to deny a long-range attempt from Rakitic, who had all sorts of space outside the box. The home side are in trouble here.
SUBS! Both sides make changes. Ajax have brought on Denswil in place of Sereno, while Barcelona have introduced Rafinha in place of Rakitic.
SUB! Barca make their third change as Adriano replaces Alves.
Barcelona must be praised for their second-half performance here. The home side were very good in the first period, but the Spanish team have been much, much better since the interval.
Still no sign of that goal for Suarez, despite the best efforts of the forward. Messi attempts to dance into the Ajax box and eventually has an effort on goal, but Cillessen makes a comfortable save.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments, with Ajax managing to clear the danger in each time Barcelona have broke into the box. As it stands, Barcelona are heading into the next round and Ajax are heading out and will have to switch their focus to third.
Half-chance for Messi as the Argentine finds some space in the final third before attempting to poke one towards goal, but Moisander is on hand to make a fine challenge.
We are into the second of two added minutes here.
FULL-TIME: Ajax 0-2 Barcelona
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close, with Barcelona qualifying for the next round with a 2-0 win over Ajax, who have been eliminated. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
