Lucas Moura has completed a hat-trick six minutes into stoppage time as Tottenham Hotspur pulled off a stunning Champions League comeback, beating Ajax 3-2 to set up an all-English final against Liverpool.
A day after the Reds rocked Barcelona by erasing a three-goal first-leg deficit with a 4-0 win at Anfield, Spurs pulled off a similar feat in Amsterdam as Moura’s second-half strikes sent them through on the away-goals rule as the tie with Ajax ended 3-3 on aggregate.
The hosts seemed to have the two-legged semi-final wrapped up by halftime at the Johan Cryuff ArenA after goals from teenage captain Matthijs de Ligt and Hakim Ziyech put them 2-0 up at the break – leading 3-0 on aggregate.
But Lucas Moura scored twice in a four-minute span to level the score on the evening and put the visitors one goal away from going through on the away goals rule.
After Jan Vertonghen’s header hit the crossbar in the 87th minute it seemed Tottenham would fall just short, as they did 57 years ago in their only other European Cup semi-final.
But there was one final twist as Moura struck again deep into time added on.
Dele Alli laid the ball off the Brazilian as he streaked into the area and his low left-foot shot crept inside the right post to complete another improbable victory.
It continues the remarkable progress for Spurs under boss Mauricio Pochettino, who has led the club further in Europe than any other manager.
Tottenham, whose Champions League campaign began in July in the second qualifying round, will face Juergen Klopp’s Liverpool at the Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid on June 1.
For Ajax, a brilliant run in this competition in which they beat Real Madrid and Juventus in previous rounds, ended in the most heartbreaking of ways with their side set to be picked apart by Europe’s heavyweights in the off-season.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
Good for Tottenham but I feel sorry for Ajax losing horribly that and knowing their side will now be plundered by bigger clubs. There's surely no worse way to lose a game than what happened today!
Kangas
Guest
Well Ian What would be the best league in the world this season? The leagues won by Barcelona Munich and juventus, ? PSG got beaten by the man united reserve team , the worst man united team since Newton Heath in 1897 . Juventus and Madrid got done by the amazing kids from Ajax . Barcelona won the Spanish league unchallenged because of one player, the best player in history . But Barcelona are on borrowed time and need a reboot. When Liverpool came at Barcelona ..the other 10 players were like dears in the headlights. This is the year the top epl teams are better , no doubt . Cue next season and Real Madrid will buy 10 more galacticos and things will return to normal. With semi finals like the last 2 days , it’s great to enjoy football
aussierad
Roar Rookie
It will be a very difficult position when Kane is healthy. I hope Kane doesn't rush himself back into the finals and he does, it should be from the bench. Moura needs to start with Sonny.
Kangas
Guest
Unbelievable football, in both semi finals A Spaniard and a Englishman and Brazilian played some of the best direct football I’ve seen in ages . The finishing for the Ajax and spurs goals were amazing The second goal by moura was incredible, beats a few players back to goal. the determination to score of a man possessed , the most dazzling footwork and mastery or ball control. What a goal Just orgasmic sport , more beautiful then a Federer single handed backhand. Please Liverpool and spurs just go at each other in the final. No negative play , just go for it .
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Potentially All England Europe finals would be impressive.
Andrew
Roar Guru
I'm not even a Spurs or Liverpool fan but I was giddy after both games - just that weird, shocked sensation that only football can produce!
reuster75
Roar Rookie
In a final anything can happen and I will always take losing the final over losing the semi-final. COYS - Moura will never have to buy a drink or any food in Tottenham ever again.
aussierad
Roar Rookie
We have our work cut out in the finals. I think Lucas and Sonny are a great combination with their pace. I know it's probably a little blasphemous but not having Kane has not made any difference and arguably the team has performed better without him. Sonny's pace changed the way Ajax defended Spurs in the second leg, and Lucas showed great predatory instinct to score the hat-trick.
aussierad
Roar Rookie
I hate to gloat, but I'm going to haha. I wrote my first roar article recently predicting Spurs will have a close one against Ajax and make it to the finals. Nicholas said that was the most delusional article ever but he admired my passion. COYS!!
Ian
Roar Rookie
cue comments of EPL being the best league in the world and the football world is changing.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
COYS
Punter
Roar Rookie
2 of the greatest nights of Football, COYS. Only in Football, wow, last kick of the game, completes hat trick & Spurs fans are on top of teh world.
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
Jeez, who would have thought that 2 years ago we would have a Spurs vs Liverpool final. Greatest day of my life. COYS!!!!!!!!!!!!