As the first leg of the Round of 16, both teams were hungry for a win. The game had a strong start, with Ajax's Dusan Tadic socring from a cross by Antony in the 18th minute of play. But soon after, Benfica won a corner, which had two shots blocked before Ajax striker Sebastien Haller turned a cross into his own net to make it 1-1. Only three minutes later though Haller got his revenge. He score a volley off a save from Benfica's keeper, restoring the lead for Ajax. Now with the game heading to halftime, Ajax didn't let up on the gas, pushing for a thrid before the break.
In Ajax's push to find their third before the break, Benfica's keeper, Odysseas Vlachodimos had a couple great saves to keep it at 2-1. After the break Befica came out ready to get an equalizer. They made a substitution, Everton for Yaremchuk, whcih in turn allowed for Goncalo Ramos to become a larger part of the match. He had multiple shots on goal that required a save from Ajax's keeper, Pasveer. One of which was part of Benfica's equalizer in the 72nd minute. Rafa of Benfica made a run on a counter attack, finding Ramos with a cross who's shot was saved by Pasveer, but defelected to Yaremchuk who headed it in for the tying goal. Both sides push to find the back of the net for another time before the final whistle, but were unable to. The match ended in a 2-2 draw, which sets up the second leg in Amsterdam to be an exciting one. The coach of the Ajax after the game said he had "mixed feelings" because his team had led twice in the game but let it slip to a tie. https://www.sportsmax.tv/football/international/item/95193-ten-hag-left-with-mixed-feelings-after-ajax-twice-squander-lead-at-benfica