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Napoli down Ajax to progress to Champions League knockouts

Napoli won a six goal thriller to send themselves into the round of 16.

Napoli finished the first half with a 2-0 lead thanks to Lozano’s header and Raspadori’s wonder strike. Klassen got an early goal in the first half to give Ajax hope but Kvaratskhelia’s penalty diminished that hope. However, Bergwijn’s penalty reignited that hope for Ajax only to be put out by Osimhen’s strike in the 89th minute.
There was an early goal for Napoli in the 4th minute as Lozano cuts in through the right side then laid it off to Zielinski. He played an excellent over the top pass back to Lozano who heads it into the top left corner giving Pasveer no chance.
There was an excellent save from Meret in the 9th minute as Bergwijn’s curling effort to the bottom right corner was pushed away.
Moments later as Ajax keeps the pressure on as they look for the equaliser, Berghuis curls a strike towards the top-left corner which goes inches wide. Meret could only stand there and watch.
Kudus should have equalised in the 13th minute as Bergwijn gave him a good pass that puts him in a one one situation but he draged his effort wide of the right post.
Seconds later Lozano came very close to double his tally for the evening and double Napoli’s lead. Zielinski’s shot from the edge of the box was blocked and Lozano latched onto the rebound and he vollyed his shot just over the bar.
Napoli made it 2-0 through Raspadori’s wonderful strike. Kvaratskhelia raced down the left side, fed Raspadori on the edge of the box who rifled his shot to the top left corner.
Taylor got a yellow card in the 27th minute as he catches Lobotka on the boot with a late challenge.
In the 28th minute Taylor gets into the Napoli’s box after combining with Klaasen but he shot the ball into the side netting as he loses his balance.
Another yellow card for Ajax, this time it’s for Sanchez in the 33rd minute as he pulled Kvaratkhelia to the ground after being ran past by the winger.
Lozano in the 41st minute is played into space in the right flank but he scuffed his shot and it almost turned into a good assist but Ajax manages to clear it.
In the second half, Klaasen headed in from Bassey’s cross in the 49th minute to put Ajax back into the game. Meret got a hand to it but couldn’t keep it out.
This prompted a double change for Napoli in the 50th minute as both Ndombele and Osimhen came on for the goalscorer Raspadori and Anguissa
Third yellow card of the game for Ajax, Alvarez goes into the book in the 52rd minute as he brings down Lobotka.
Felix Zwayer was awarded a controversial penalty for a handball in the 60th minute through the help of VAR. Ndombele ‘s volley strike’s timber’s hand.
Kvaratskhelia scored the penalty to make it 3-1 Napoli as he smashes the ball to the top left corner giving Pasveer no chance of saving it even though he went the right way.
A triple change came for Ajax in the 65th minute as Grillitsch, Brobbey and Baas comes on for Taylor, Kudus and Sanchez.
A yellow card for Basseyin the 66th minute as he fouls Kvaratskhelia. This is Ajax’s fourth booking.
There was a great save from Pasveer in the 74th minute to deny Lozano from making it four to Napoli. Lozano was played over the top and through on goal on the right hand side, he shot to the bottom left corner but Pasveer got down low to make a solid stop.
Fifth booking for Ajax and it’s Bergwijn in the 76th minute as he clips Lozano’s ankle.
Another double change for Napoli as Elmas and Politano comes on for Lozano and Kvaratskhelia in the 77th minute.
Osimhen scores in the 79th minute but it is correctly called offside.
There was a penalty to Ajax in the 81st minute as Brobbey is hauled down by Jesus in the penalty box. Bergwijn scored from the spot to make it 3-2 to give Ajax hope.
Last changes from Ajax as Ocampos and Conceicao comes on in the 84th minute to replace Bergwijn and Berghuis.
Osimhen should have made it four to Napoli in the 85th minute and end all hope for Ajax, but he shot the ball over from six yards as he gets onto the cross from Di Lorenzo.
Osimhen did make it four as he dispossed Blind and slotted the ball into an empty net. Game over. Osimhen then got a yellow card for his celebration as he takes his shirt off.
Another yellow card for Napoli in the 90th minute, this time it’s Politano as he blocks a pass with his hand.

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