Lucas Moura's Extra Time Goal To Cap Off Tottenham's Impossible Champions League Comeback Against Ajax
After being led 2-0 against Ajax, Lucas Moura and the Spurs managed to overturn the premises to join Liverpool in the final of the C1.
Even after the events at Anfield 24 hours earlier, where Liverpool had fought back from a three-goal first leg deficit to overcome Barcelona by winning 4-0 on the night, 4-3 on aggregate, few believed Tottenham could achieve similar feats especially after a nightmare opening period.
For Ajax, this will be a night that will live long in the memory, the night it somehow contrived to throw away the opportunity of a first Champions League final since 1996.
Tottenham's hat-trick hero Lucas Moura speaking to BT Sport: "Impossible to explain what I'm feeling. I'm very happy and very proud of my team-mates. Always believe in this moment. We gave everything on the pitch and deserved this moment - we are family. Impossible to explain. Big gift from God I'd like to share with team-mates, friends and family."It's about not only me but my team-mates and teamwork. Everyone worked really hard. Too difficult to play here against Ajax but I always believed in my team-mates. Even without key players we did really well. We need to fight in every game like this."The football is amazing - it gives us a moment like this. We cannot imagine. The best moment in my life - in my career. I only need to say thank you to my team-mates."
Quite how it managed to fritter away a two-goal lead on the night and a three-goal advantage overall will no doubt be discussed until the early morning across the bars of Amsterdam.
For 45 minutes at least, this was Ajax's opportunity. This team of young players had already surpassed all expectations in defeating Real Madrid and Juventus on its way to the last four of the competition.
Few other teams have entertained like Ajax this season, its group of young players seemingly unperturbed by the pressure, playing a brand of football that excites and thrills at every opportunity. And for the first half in Amsterdam, that's what it did.
In fact, it took just five minutes for the precociously talented De Ligt to give Ajax the lead, heading home unopposed before running off to celebrate. At just 19 he is frightening prospect, a player who surely will have the opportunity to win the Champions League later in his career.
But few would have begrudged him the chance to dream about lifting the trophy when Ziyech added a second after 35 minutes, firing an exquisite effort beyond the despairing dive of Hugo Lloris to make it 2-0 on the night and 3-0 on aggregate. Tottenham looked finished.
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