A goal down at half-time, Erik Ten Hag’s Ajax, once again, proved their combative nature, as the Amsterdam outfit produced a remarkable comeback to win 1-3 against Borussia Dortmund to secure qualification for the next stage of the UEFA Champions League.
Goals from Dusan Tadic, Sebastian Haller, and Davy Klassen propelled the visitors towards victory, while a remarkable performance by 24-year-old Brazilian winger Antony ensured he bagged assists for each of the goals on Wednesday night.
Antony, known for his silky skillset, emerged as the inspiration for Ajax’s performance, leaving football Twitter in awe, following his charismatic display on the pitch.
The winger, who was involved in Mats Hummels’ controversial sending-off in the 28th minute, took it upon himself to break down Dortmund’s compact defensive structure in the second half, providing crosses for all of Ajax’s goals on the night.
However, amidst his magnificent overarching display, the trickster also displayed a moment of sheer ‘Brazilian-Brillance’ as he pulled off a jaw-dropping mid-air skill to get the ball under control at his feet during stoppage time.
Receiving the ball alongside the touchline, Antony deliberately killed the aerial ball with his trailing foot whilst in the air, and ensured it bounced before him as he retained possession of it.
The perfectly executed skill left fans craving for more, as it encapsulated the Brazilian’s enriching performance on the night.
Having maintained a 100% record alongside Bayern Munich, Liverpool, and Juventus in the Champions League this season, the Dutch side is one of only four teams to have booked their place for the next stage of the competition.
With Antony’s performances unlikely to go under the radar, it remains to be seen if the player attracts potentially highly-revered suitors in the coming transfer windows.
