Lucas Moura scored a dramatic 96th-minute winner to cap an astonishing Tottenham fightback against Ajax and set up an all-English Champions League final against Liverpool.
Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Spurs made the worst possible start in Amsterdam when a towering fifth-minute header by 19-year-old Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt doubled the advantage for Erik ten Hag’s exciting young side.
Tottenham hit the post through Son Heung-min before Hakim Ziyech doubled Ajax’s lead on the night with a sweeping finish after an assist by former Southampton winger Dusan Tadic.
That left Spurs 3-0 behind on aggregate yet, in another pulsating semi-final, Mauricio Pochettino’s side scored twice within five minutes in the second half.
Moura reduced the deficit with a composed finish before the Brazilian’s shot on the turn levelled the scores on the night and left Spurs requiring one goal to reach the final in Madrid on 1 June.
In a frantic finish, Vertonghen headed against the bar before Moura completed his hat-trick with a finish from 16 yards deep into stoppage time on a famous night for Spurs.
Unforgettable night for battling Spurs
Pochettino could not contain his emotions at the final whistle and shed tears of joy as he celebrated wildly with his players on the pitch.
The Argentine, who celebrates his fifth anniversary in charge of Spurs later this month, was on his knees after a night that rivalled the jaw-dropping drama of Liverpool’s incredible victory over Barcelona on Tuesday.
Harry Kane, who is still recovering from an ankle injury, also joined his team-mates on the pitch as they celebrated in front of their 2,500 travelling fans.
Spurs looked dead and buried when Ziyech made it 3-0 on aggregate before half-time yet they somehow pulled themselves together to reach a first Champions League final.
Moura was the inspiration, producing three clinical finishes, the third after former Ajax player Vertonghen headed against the bar from four yards with four minutes of normal time remaining.
PHOTO/COURTESY
