Real Madrid welcomed Ajax to the Bernabeu on Tuesday having already qualified for the latter stages of the Champions League.
The Dutch outfit had a Europa League spot on their mind, however, and they did indeed secure third with Manchester City failing to beat Borussia Dortmund.
Madrid found themselves 2-0 ahead inside 30 minutes, however, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Callejon both finding the back of the net with smart finishes.
It was three for the home side early in the second period when Kaka found the top corner, but Derk Boerrigter had one back for Ajax moments later.
The Dutch outfit continued to impress in the second 45 minutes, but Callejon had his second for Madrid late on.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live coverage of the action below.
Evening all! Where has this season gone? It only seems like yesterday that the groups were selected in the Champions League. But now we enter the final round of group fixtures. Madrid have already booked their spot in the second round after drawing with Manchester City last time out. But Ajax still have Europa League football to strive for.
These two sides also boast an incredible 13 European Cups between them. Madrid have won nine in their remarkable history, while Ajax have just the four. Four more than many clubs in Europe could ever dream of. The Dutch outfit may not be able to compete at the same level at the moment, but their youth policy continues to supply talent.
Real Madrid versus Ajax has certainly become a popular fixture in recent Champions League seasons. The two sides have met five times in the past three campaigns, with Madrid winning on each occasion. The last match between the two ended in a 4-1 win for the Spanish outfit who were far too strong on the night.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS: Iker Casillas is rested for the home side. However, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema both start. Meanwhile, Ajax name a full-strength side with the exception of Ryan Babel, who is injured. Full teams to follow.
Teams:
Real Madrid: Adan; Varane, Nacho, Carvalho, Coentrao; Modric, Khedira, Callejon, Kaka; Ronaldo, Benzema
Ajax: Vermeer; Moisander, Blind, Alderweireld, Van Rhijn; Poulsen, De Jong, Eriksen; Hoesen, Boerrigter, Fischer
So there we have it. Madrid also hand starts to Ricardo Carvalho and Nacho. Ahead of the defence they have named an almost full strength side with Ronaldo, Benzema, Sami Khedira and Luka Modric all starting. Meanwhile, Christian Eriksen and Siem de Jong will attempt to impress for Ajax.
Madrid also boast an impressive home record against Dutch opposition. They have won nine, drawn one and lost just two of their past 12 fixtures against teams from the Netherlands. Meanwhile, Ajax have failed to win any of their last five visits to Spain, losing four in that period.
Ajax boss Frank de Boer is no stranger to facing Madrid, however. The Dutchman faced the Spanish outfit nine times during his spell with Barcelona between 1999 and 2003. Meanwhile, he played under now Madrid boss Jose Mourinho when the Portuguese was assistant to Louis van Gaal in 2000. Oh how times have changed!
In terms of the group standings, Madrid cannot win the group regardless of their result this evening. They were beaten by Borussia Dortmund in Germany before drawing with the Bundesliga outfit at home, a result that ended their seven-match winning streak at the Bernabeu. A quick word on Dortmund – what a terrific side. Real dark horses for the competition.
Let's take a look at how both sides have fared in the competition thus far. Madrid began their group campaign with a 3-2 win over Manchester City before thumping Ajax 4-1 in Holland. But they suffered their first defeat in the competition when they were beaten by an impressive Dortmund outfit at the end of October.
They then secured a 2-2 draw with the German outfit on their own patch before drawing with Manchester City last time out at the Etihad. They have been slightly inconsistent in the Champions League this season, but they will certainly be the team to avoid when the next stage of the competition is drawn.
Ajax, meanwhile, suffered back-to-back defeats in their first two against Dortmund and Madrid. But they picked up their first three points with an impressive 3-1 win over City in Holland. That result was followed by 2-2 draw at the Etihad, but they were beaten 4-1 by Dortmund last time out.
In truth, Europa League for Ajax would be a huge achievement. That's not to say that they're not a huge club, they are. But they were drawn in the toughest group of them all with the champions of Germany, champions of Spain and the champions of England. And they managed to take four points from City.
Despite Madrid’s emergence from this group, there is pressure on them this evening. Should they fail to win then it would be their worst-ever performance in the group stages of the Champions League. Couple that with their poor La Liga standing and alarm bells could start to ring. I know it sounds crazy, but that is the soap opera in Madrid.
However, they can call on two players who certainly like playing in this competition. Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 15 goals in his last 14 Champions League appearances, while Karim Benzema has 17 in his last 19 in European competition. That is quite an extraordinary statistic at this level.
Madrid have also won 13 and lost just one of their last 16 Champions League matches at the Bernabeu. That said, all is not well at the club. It has been strongly suggested that both Mourinho and Ronaldo will depart the Spanish champions at the end of the season. The former would not come as a great surprise, but how on earth could any side in Europe afford Ronaldo?
Here’s a word from Mourinho prior to the match. "I think our qualification is a success in this group because a candidate to win the title will be out. Manchester City are a powerful team with great attacking skill and Borussia Dortmund are among the best in Europe," he told Eurosport.
Meanwhile, De Boer added: "We have a young team and for my players it's very important to play against European teams. There is a lot to learn. I won't care about what happens between Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund. They need to win and we need it too. I think we can carry on in the Europa League. We can show our potential against every team and beat anyone."
Let’s take a look at how each side is faring in their domestic campaign. Madrid currently sit third in La Liga, some 11 points behind Barcelona. The Catalan outfit are enjoying an incredible start to the season and Madrid have simply been unable to match that standard. Meanwhile, they also sit five points behind Atletico Madrid despite beating their capital rivals at the weekend.
Ajax, meanwhile, currently sit fourth in the Eredivisie, but they have won each of their last four matches in the league and suffered just one defeat all season. In fact, they have suffered just one defeat in their last eight matches in the Dutch division.
Six draws in 15 league matches has seen them four points off the pace, but they are still considered as the favourites to win their league once more. One thing is for certain, Ajax will be keen to avoid another repeat of this group when/if they quality for next year’s competition.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. Handshakes? Check. Flags exchanged? Check. Passionate crowd? Check. Let's get this Champions League fixture underway. Be sure to remain with us for the entirety of the action.
Ajax get us underway on this mild evening in Spain. De Jong skippers them this evening. Meanwhile, a nice moment for Kaka tonight as he captains the home side. He remains a wonderful player even if he has lost that yard of movement.
Madrid take control of the early possession as you would expect. Ronaldo appears in a party mood this evening as he does a lovely trick before switching play to Luka Modric. It appears that Ajax will operate with Viktor Fischer as a lone forward and attempt to press the Madrid midfield.
Decent little period for Ajax with Christian Eriksen and De Jong both enjoying touches of the ball. The latter attempts to slip a pass towards Fischer, but Ricardo Carvalho steps across to clear the danger. The former Chelsea man has been in the wilderness this season but he is handed a start tonight.
Not a great deal to report in the opening stages in terms of chances. Madrid are dominating possession of the ball, but the Dutch outfit are holding a deep line at the moment and there is no room in behind. It has the feeling of a training match in the opening seven minutes.
Madrid have the ball in the back of the net as Benzema finds the back of the net from close range. However, the Frenchman was indeed offside as he received the pass from Ronaldo. First real piece of attacking intent and it almost brought the opening goal of the evening.
Half-chance for the away side this time as De Jong finds the run of Danny Hoesen, but the striker just cannot release a strike as Carvalho comes across to clear the danger for a corner. Meanwhile, the set piece is headed clear by Nacho. Decent tempo to the match at the moment.
Ajax again force an attacking opportunity as Eriksen collects possession before driving past Nacho, but the midfielder loses contact with the ball and Varane is on hand to clear the danger. Ajax have certainly come to play this evening.
POST! Madrid come within a whisker as Coentrao combines with Modric in the penalty area before releasing a powerful effort on goal, but his strike smashes against the post. It was wonderfully worked by the Spanish outfit.
It's all Madrid at the moment as they continue to pass and probe around the Ajax penalty area, but their final ball has just lacked in the last couple of attacks with Kenneth Vermeer collecting on two separate occasions. You just get the feel that the first goal could open up the floodgates in this match.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Ajax (Ronaldo)
Madrid have the lead as Benzema beats the offside trap before finding Ronaldo in the penalty area. The Portuguese makes no mistake as he thumps his effort into the top corner. It had been coming.
It wasn't the best of defending from the away side, but you have to praise the run of Benzema. His movement was simply tremendous there. And Ronaldo does not miss those kind of chances. It could be a long tough evening for Ajax as they continue to struggle for possession.
Ronaldo again embarks on a mazy run as he drives past the challenge of two Ajax defenders, but Derk Boerrigter chops him down on the edge of the area. The Portuguese strikes the free kick on target, but it just hits Daley Blind on the route to goal.
CHANCE! Another fine opportunity for the home side as Benzema collects a loose pass in the penalty area, but his powerful effort is pushed away by Vermeer. Kaka comes close with an effort from the resulting corner, but once more the goalkeeper is on hand to push the danger wide.
Ajax really are struggling at the moment with Madrid forcing corner after corner. They continue to defend the danger but it comes back with interest as they struggle to gain any type of possession. You just get the feeling that another goal for the home side in the next few minutes could set off a chain reaction.
Slightly better from the away side in the last few moments as they manage to clear the danger and force a couple of throws in the Madrid half, but they are yet to register an attempt on goal. Meanwhile, change for the home side as Coentrao, who had picked up a hamstring knock, is replaced by Pepe.
Varane has gone to right-back for the home side with Nacho moving left and Pepe slotting in alongside Carvalho in the centre. Mourinho had previously stated that Nacho could not operate at left-back but that is where he will play this evening. Not a great deal happening at the moment with both sides exchanging possession.
Slightly scrappy period to the match at the moment with Ajax giving away a host of fouls in and around their penalty area. The latest provides Ronaldo with the opportunity to strike from 30 yards, but his effort was palmed away by the diving Vermeer. He almost appeared to dive past it.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Ajax (Callejon)
Madrid have their second of the evening as Modric finds the run of Callejon in the penalty area and the attacker slots past the oncoming Vermeer. It was a really top finish.
This really could be anything Madrid want it to be this evening. Ajax have been as poor as I have ever seen them thus far. The pressure remains as Ronaldo strikes another free kick from outside the penalty area, but it smashes into the wall.
Madrid create another half-chance as Kaka dances past the challenge of two Ajax defenders before firing a low cross into the penalty area, but Blind comes across to clear the danger. The corner is fired in by Kaka, but Vermeer punches clear.
Nacho appears to want a piece of the action as he strikes an effort from distance, but it was never troubling the Ajax goalkeeper. However, the pressure continues as Madrid force yet another free kick outside the penalty area as Moisander fells Benzema.
CHANCE! Ronaldo comes within a whisker as his free kick strikes the wall before trickling towards the bottom corner, but Vermeer comes across to collect the danger. He lets out a slight smile. But the pressure continues as Madrid pass and probe in the Ajax half.
Half-chance for Ajax this time as Eriksen picks out the run of De Jong in the Madrid penalty area, but the Dutchman cannot collect and Pepe clears the danger. Eriksen finds himself with possession once more, but he has no options and is eventually forced into a backwards pass.
Madrid again break with pace and power as Ronaldo fires a searching pass towards Kaka, but Moisander just steps out to clear the danger with five white shirts attacking. It is almost as if Ajax are feeling sorry for themselves at the moment. This is not the side that faced Manchester City.
It's really bright football from Madrid with five players involved in a passing move outside the Ajax penalty area. It ends with a powerful effort fro Khedira, but Vermeer pushes wide of the target. Meanwhile, change for the away side as Lasse Schone replaces Poulsen, who had been struggling.
The pressure remains from the home side as they force three corners in quick succession, but desperate defending from Ajax manages to clear the danger. You just get the feeling that Ajax need someone to take hold of their young team and ask for something a little bit more. It has been a no-show thus far.
Half-chance for Ajax in the latter stages of the half as Fischer collects possession outside the penalty area before striking at goal, but Adan is on hand to quell the danger. The away side enjoy a decent period of possession, but it is quickly broken up with Boerrigter fouling Ronaldo.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute at the end of the half. Madrid come close as Varane meets another Kaka corner, but his header is just over the crossbar. It has been such a comfortable half for the home side.
Real Madrid 2-0 Ajax
So there we have it. About as comfortable as it gets for the home side as they enter the break 2-0 ahead courtesy of goals from Ronaldo and Callejon. In truth it has almost been like a training match in the opening 45 minutes.
Just a reminder that Madrid have already booked their spot in the knockout stages of the competition. But Ajax still have the Europa League to strive for. As it stands, with Manchester City drawing in Dortmund, the Dutch outfit have third spot. But we all know how quickly football can change.
Let's take a look at some statistics from the opening half of football. Ajax have surprisingly shaded the possession with 54%, but they have managed just one attempt on goal. That is in contrast to Madrid who have had 15 attempts, seven on target.
This really could be anything Madrid want in the second period. I expect Ajax to make changes at the interval, but whether it will change the feel of the match is another question entirely. This is not the same side that took four points from Manchester City. Stay with us for the second period which will get underway in the next three minutes or so.
Here we go then. Madrid get the action underway in the second period. Can Ajax stem the flow of pressure or will there be more goals for the home crowd to enjoy? No changes for either side at the interval. Be sure to stay with us for the entirety of the evening's events.
CHANCE! Madrid come within a whisker of adding their third as Khedira fires a low cross into the penalty area, but Ronaldo just cannot make contact and Vermeer restarts play with a goal kick. Remember, as it stands Ajax would still secure third spot in the group.
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-0 Ajax (Kaka)
Oh my word. That is some goal. Wonderful ability from Kaka as he drives to the edge of the area before bending a curling effort into the top corner. That was the old Kaka right there.
Ajax continue to struggle to gain any sort of attacking position in this match. Madrid continue to hunt the ball down each time they lose it. It must be said that in this form Madrid, along with Barcelona, surely are considered as the favourites for the competition.
Another half-chance for the home side as Ronaldo fires a low cross into the penalty area towards Kaka, but the Brazilian is beaten to the ball by Blind and the danger is cleared. Ajax attempt to launch a counter attack of their own, but Toby Alderweireld's effort is wide of the post.
It's better from the away side as De Jong picks up possession outside the penalty area before firing at goal, but Adan is on hand to collect the danger. Meanwhile, a sloppy period from the home side has at least handed Ajax an extended period with the ball. But their final pass continues to elude them.
CHANCE! It really should be four for the home side as Benzema meets a Ronaldo cross, but somehow he diverts his header wide of the post. There was no flag and with the goal gaping the Frenchman really should have scored. Not that it will matter in the context of this match.
Another Ajax attack threatens to produce something as Hoesen combines with Fischer on the edge of the penalty area, but the latter is dispossessed and Pepe manages to clear the danger. Ajax force a corner moments later, but once more the Portuguese defender thumps clear.
CHANCE! Couple of golden opportunities for the home side. The first comes to Hoesen as he whips a low cross into the penalty area, but Pepe just manages to clear. Meanwhile, Fischer fires wide moments later.
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-1 Ajax (Boerrigter)
Ajax have their consolation in their best period of the match as Adan comes and misses a high ball, allowing Boerrigter to tap home from inside the penalty area.
Update: Borussia Dortmund have taken the lead against Manchester City. Regardless of Ajax's result this evening they would secure third spot if City lose in Germany. But they continue to pepper the Madrid goal with their best period of the evening.
It is the Ajax fans making the noise at the moment from the top tier of the stadium. Meanwhile, Mourinho shows his displeasure with his side's defending. The pressure from Madrid has certainly dampened in the past few moments with Madrid enjoying the better of the match.
Another half-chance comes the way of the away side as Boerrigter curls a free kick from the edge of the penalty area, but this time Adan is on hand to collect the danger. Madrid have almost gone into their shell a little bit since conceding that goal. It is a totally different game now.
CHANCE! Oh my word. Ajax really should have their second as Eriksen finds Hoesen inside the penalty area, but the striker fires over the crossbar from close range. This is the Ajax side that took points from Manchester City. Another goal could change everything in this match.
It is all one way traffic at the moment with Ajax passing and probing outside the Madrid area. But Pepe remains strong as he heads clear twice in quick succession. More good work from De Jong creates a shooting chance for Hoesen, but the striker is unbalanced and fires wide.
Second change for the home side as Jose Rodriguez, the 17-year-old, replaces Kaka. Rodriguez becomes the youngest Madrid player in the Champions League. Younger than Iker Casillas and the like. What a moment in his career. Little under 20 minutes of football remaining.
Another half-chance comes to the away side as Eriksen fires a high cross into the penalty area, but Pepe is on hand to clear the danger. But it comes straight back from Ajax as they enjoy time and space around the edge of the Madrid box.
Yet another opportunity comes to Ajax as Eriksen finds Boerrigter in the penalty area, but the goalscorer cannot make a proper connection and it moves wide of the post. Who would have predicted this after the first 45 minutes?
Double change for Ajax as Eyong Enoh and Tobias Sana replace Hoesen and Fischer with little over 10 minutes of football remaining. You just get the feeling that there is another goal in this match. De Jong strikes a free kick from outside the box, but it was never troubling Adan.
There just appears to be no desire for Madrid at the moment as they labour with possession. In fairness they all but secured the points in the opening period and are now saving themselves for the tests ahead. Meanwhile, they make another change as Morata replaces Benzema.
Madrid have the ball in the back of the net for a second time as Morata latches onto a long pass from Ronaldo before chipping the goalkeeper, but the offside flag was raised. Replays have shown that the correct decision was indeed made.
Not a great deal happening in the final period of the match with both sides exchanging spells of possession in midfield. Had Ajax turned up in the opening half of football then it could have been a very different result.
Khedira appears to have a slight problem here as he is felled by De Jong, but the German rises to his feet to take the free kick. His pass searches out Ronaldo, but Blind comes across to clear the danger. Little over four minutes to play.
Pressure from Madrid in the final stages of the match as they force a corner, but Blind rises highest to clear the danger. Strange atmosphere inside the ground as we enter the final couple of moments.
GOAL! Real Madrid 4-1 Ajax (Callejon)
Callejon has his second of the evening as he turns a Morata cross into the back of the net from close range. Entirely against the run of play, but he will certainly not mind.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes of football at the end of the match.
Half-chance for Madrid to add their fifth in the final moments as Modric strikes an effort from outside the box, but it is straight at the goalkeeper. Morata is denied moments later by a diving save from Vermeer.
Real Madrid 4-1 Ajax
Madrid breeze to a 4-1 win over Ajax in Spain. The home side had already qualified for the latter stages. Meanwhile, Ajax qualify for the Europa League despite the loss. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and join us for more Champions League football tomorrow. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
