Ajax vs Rangers LIVE: Champions League result, final score and reaction as Ajax notch comfortable win
Ajax 4-0 Rangers: Gers lose heavily in their first Champions League match in 12 years
Ajax built a commanding early lead before overwhelming Rangers 4-0 in Champions League Group A at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
Edson Alvarez, Steven Berghuis and Mohammed Kudus scored in a one-sided first half and Steven Bergwijn added the fourth 10 minutes from time to complete the rout.
It was a dominant display from a new-look Ajax, who sold several key players over the summer, and lost head coach Erik ten Hag to Manchester United, but still proved far too strong for the Scottish side - last season’s Europa League runners-up.
Borna Barisic did have a goal disallowed for the Gers after an offside in the build-up but they were largely outclassed.
Relive all the action as Ajax beat Rangers in the Champions League:
Half-time: Ajax 3-0 Rangers
That’s been a bruising first 45 minutes for Rangers on their return to the Champions League. They offered very little resistance to a rampant Ajax side who took several chances and could have had more.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst needs to changes things for the second half. Personnel, formation, whatever but Rangers need to start getting time on the ball or this will turn into a drubbing.
Ajax 3-0 Rangers
43 mins: Save! Taylor drives into the box from the left and pokes the ball to Bergwijn. He’s tackled but the ball comes loose to Tadic who fizzes a first time shot at goal and forces another two-handed stop out of Jon McLaughlin.
Ajax 3-0 Rangers
40 mins: Save! Kenneth Taylor has a shy from range and forces Jon McLaughlin into a diving stop to his left.
He palms the ball away only as far as Dusan Tadic who flicks the ball over to the back post but Steven Bergwijn can’t get around James Tavernier and somehow Rangers work it away.
Ajax 3-0 Rangers
37 mins: Rangers have been rocked in Amsterdam already. Ajax look several classes above them in quality and confidence this evening.
The visitors put together a half-hearted attack down the right side but Bassey is quickly over to the ball and manages to guide it out for a goal kick.
GOAL! Ajax 3-0 Rangers (34’, Kudus)⚽️
33 mins: It’s three! What a strike this one is. Calvin Bassey – the former Rangers man – slides a pass up to Mohammed Kudus who is closed down by James Tavernier.
Kudus holds the ball away from Tavernier before turning around the defender and driving into the left side of the box.
It looks as though Conner Goldson is coming across to cover but Kudus blasts an effort to the far side of the goal where the ball hits the inside of the post and rebounds over the line!
GOAL! Ajax 2-0 Rangers (32’, Berghuis)⚽️
32 mins: Ajax double their lead!
This is unfortunate for Rangers. Mohammed Kudus messes around with the ball just outside the Rangers box but scuffs it over to Steven Berghius.
He knocks the ball into the box then side-foots an effort at goal. The shot hits James Sands and deflects past Jon McLaughlin to finish in the back of the net.
Ajax 1-0 Rangers
31 mins: Tillman is muscled off the ball and Ajax sweep up the pitch once more. Bergwijn slots it across to Tadic who holds onto the ball too long before deciding to shoot.
When he finally takes the shot, Barisic is able to charge him down and get the block in.
Ajax 1-0 Rangers
29 mins: Scott Wright and John Lundstram are getting played out of the game, Ajax are moving it past them with real ease.
Rensch makes another late run into the box and plays a great one-two to take him to the edge of the six-yard area. He just has McLaughlin to beat with the Rangers defenders left scrambling but he guides his effort wide of the far post.
Ajax 1-0 Rangers
26 mins: Ajax are all over Rangers.
Bergwijn, Kudus, and Tadic are all operating with freedom inside and around the Rangers box. The home side seem quicker, sharper and more confident on the ball.
It could be a long night for Rangers.
Ajax 1-0 Rangers
23 mins: Close! Daley Blind provides a wide option with a fine run down the left wing. He squares the ball into the middle of the box and finds Bergwijn who shifts it over to Tadic.
Tadic returns the ball with a pass into the six-yard box but Bergwijn is shoved off line by Goldson and McLaughlin can scoop up the loose ball.
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