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UEFA Champions League

Tuesday, 21 October 2014,

Barcelona
3
-
Full Time
Live
-
1
Ajax
  • Kickoff: 19:45 BST
  • Stadium: Estadio Camp Nou
  • Referee: -
  • Stadium: Estadio Camp Nou
  • Attendance: 79,357
  • 7' Neymar
  • 24' Lionel Messi
  • 91' Sandro Ramírez
  • 88' Anwar El-Ghazi

Barcelona

Half time

Full time

Ajax Amsterdam

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Enrique remains focused on Ajax

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique insists his team's focus is solely on Tuesday night's Champions League meeting against Ajax, with all thoughts of the upcoming El Clasico pushed to one side for now.

The Catalan club have a busy few days ahead, with the visit of Dutch champions Ajax swiftly followed by Saturday's eagerly-anticipated clash with bitter rivals Real Madrid in the domestic Primera Division.

El Clasico is already making headlines in the Spanish media, yet Enrique is not interested in anything but the European competition, in which they will be looking to bounce back from last month's defeat to Paris St Germain in Group F.

He told a press conference: "The only game we have on our minds is that of Ajax.

"Ajax are a very well-organised team that know how to attack. After winning a game and losing another, the third is a huge match for us. It's at home and very important for our qualification. And we need the support of the fans.

"We are used to playing every three or four days, and the most important match for us at the moment is the one against Ajax, not El Clasico."

Ajax are also foremost in the mind of Brazil forward Neymar, who believes the Eredivisie titleholders will be no pushovers.

He said: "Tomorrow we have a match we have to win, and only after that we will start thinking about El Clasico.

"It will be a very difficult and a very important match. We always play to win but I believe Ajax to be a great team both in defence and in attack. We will have to work hard to win."

Barca defender Adriano has been ruled out of the game with hamstring trouble, while there are also doubts over the fitness of midfielder Sergio Busquets.

Ajax have drawn both of their fixtures so far in Group A - against APOEL and Paris St Germain, and coach Frank de Boer told ajax.nl: "I want to see us having fun tomorrow night.

"With these kind of games you have an opportunity to show what you can do.

"However, to beat this Barca team tomorrow we all have to match our best-ever performances."

The Amsterdam club travelled to Spain with injured duo Nicolai Boilesen (concussion) and Thulani Serero (hamstring).

91'+4

End Regular Time

91'+3

3 - 1

Goal! Barcelona 3, Ajax 1. Sandro Ramírez (Barcelona) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Rafinha.

91'+3

Rafinha (Barcelona) Assists Shot at 94'

91'+2

Ivan Rakitic (Barcelona) Blocked Pass at 93'

91'+2

Attempt missed. Dani Alves (Barcelona) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high from a direct free kick.

91'+1

Ivan Rakitic (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

91'

Corner, Barcelona. Conceded by Nick Viergever.

91'

Dani Alves (Barcelona) Corner Kick at 91'

91'

Ivan Rakitic (Barcelona) Free Kick at 91'

90'

Jairo Riedewald

90'

Ivan Rakitic (Barcelona) wins a free kick on the right wing.

90'

Attempt blocked. Anwar El Ghazi (Ajax) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.

89'

Davy Klaassen (Ajax Amsterdam) Throw In at 89'

88'

2 - 1

Goal! Barcelona 2, Ajax 1. Anwar El Ghazi (Ajax) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner.

88'

Attempt blocked. Arkadiusz Milik (Ajax) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Jaïro Riedewald.

88'

Jairo Riedewald (Ajax Amsterdam) Assists Shot at 88'

88'

Jairo Riedewald (Ajax Amsterdam) Free Kick at 88'

87'

Lasse Schöne (Ajax) wins a free kick on the left wing.

87'

Nick Viergever (Ajax Amsterdam) Throw In at 87'

86'

Dani Alves (Barcelona) Blocked Pass at 86'

85'

Attempt missed. Dani Alves (Barcelona) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left from a direct free kick.

85'

Foul by Lasse Schöne (Ajax).

84'

Dani Alves (Barcelona) Throw In at 84'

83'

Dani Alves (Barcelona) Throw In at 83'

83'

Attempt missed. Rafinha (Barcelona) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.

82'

Corner, Barcelona. Conceded by Lucas Andersen.

82'

Munir El Haddadi (Barcelona) Corner Kick at 82'

82'

Attempt blocked. Munir El Haddadi (Barcelona) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Marc-André ter Stegen.

82'

Marc-André ter Stegen (Barcelona) Assists Shot at 82'

82'

Lasse Schöne (Ajax Amsterdam) Free Kick at 81'

80'

Pedro

80'

Lucas Andersen (Ajax) wins a free kick on the right wing.

78'

Javier Mascherano (Barcelona) Free Kick at 78'

78'

Jordi Alba (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

78'

Nick Viergever (Ajax Amsterdam) Throw In at 78'

77'

Jordi Alba (Barcelona) Free Kick at 77'

77'

Sandro Ramírez (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

77'

Jordi Alba (Barcelona) Throw In at 77'

76'

Substitution, Barcelona. Rafinha replaces Andrés Iniesta.

75'

Attempt missed. Davy Klaassen (Ajax) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Anwar El Ghazi with a cross.

75'

Anwar El-Ghazi (Ajax Amsterdam) Assists Shot at 75'

73'

Substitution, Ajax. Anwar El Ghazi replaces Kolbeinn Sigthorsson.

71'

Attempt saved. Ivan Rakitic (Barcelona) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Andrés Iniesta.

71'

Andrés Iniesta (Barcelona) Assists Shot at 71'

71'

Lucas Andersen (Ajax Amsterdam) Blocked Pass at 71'

70'

Nick Viergever (Ajax Amsterdam) Throw In at 70'

70'

Marc-André ter Stegen (Barcelona) Free Kick at 70'

69'

Ricardo Van Rhijn

69'

Munir El Haddadi (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

69'

Attempt blocked. Lasse Schöne (Ajax) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

68'

Foul by Gerard Piqué (Barcelona).

67'

Ricardo Van Rhijn (Ajax Amsterdam) Throw In at 67'

67'

Dani Alves (Barcelona) Throw In at 67'

66'

Substitution, Barcelona. Munir El Haddadi replaces Lionel Messi.

65'

Ricardo Van Rhijn (Ajax Amsterdam) Throw In at 65'

65'

Jordi Alba (Barcelona) Throw In at 65'

64'

Andrés Iniesta (Barcelona) Blocked Pass at 64'

63'

Arkadiusz Milik (Ajax Amsterdam) Corner Kick at 63'

63'

Corner, Ajax. Conceded by Gerard Piqué.

62'

Niklas Moisander (Ajax Amsterdam) Free Kick at 62'

62'

Substitution, Barcelona. Sandro Ramírez replaces Neymar.

61'

Nick Viergever (Ajax) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

61'

Javier Mascherano (Barcelona) Blocked Pass at 61'

59'

Dani Alves (Barcelona) Throw In at 59'

59'

Attempt missed. Lionel Messi (Barcelona) left footed shot from a difficult angle and long range on the right is just a bit too high from a direct free kick.

58'

Foul by Nick Viergever (Ajax).

58'

Jordi Alba (Barcelona) Free Kick at 58'

57'

Neymar (Barcelona) wins a free kick on the left wing.

56'

Substitution, Ajax. Jaïro Riedewald replaces Niki Zimling.

55'

Attempt missed. Ricardo van Rhijn (Ajax) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Lucas Andersen.

55'

Lucas Andersen (Ajax Amsterdam) Assists Shot at 55'

54'

Neymar (Barcelona) Throw In at 54'

53'

Jordi Alba (Barcelona) Free Kick at 53'

52'

Jordi Alba (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

51'

Attempt missed. Lionel Messi (Barcelona) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right.

51'

Dani Alves (Barcelona) Throw In at 51'

51'

Javier Mascherano (Barcelona) Free Kick at 51'

51'

Ivan Rakitic (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

50'

Jasper Cillessen (Ajax Amsterdam) Free Kick at 50'

49'

Offside, Barcelona. Pedro tries a through ball, but Lionel Messi is caught offside.

49'

Attempt saved. Pedro (Barcelona) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Neymar.

49'

Neymar (Barcelona) Assists Shot at 49'

47'

Joël Veltman (Ajax Amsterdam) Blocked Pass at 47'

47'

Attempt missed. Lionel Messi (Barcelona) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Neymar.

47'

Neymar (Barcelona) Assists Shot at 47'

46'

Attempt blocked. Neymar (Barcelona) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Dani Alves with a cross.

46'

Dani Alves (Barcelona) Assists Shot at 46'

46'

Kolbeinn Sigthorsson (Ajax Amsterdam) Blocked Pass at 46'

46'

Substitution, Ajax. Arkadiusz Milik replaces Ricardo Kishna.

46'

Start 2nd Half

46'

Halftime

45'

Jasper Cillessen (Ajax Amsterdam) Free Kick at 45'

45'

Hand ball by Andrés Iniesta (Barcelona).

44'

Ricardo Van Rhijn (Ajax Amsterdam) Throw In at 44'

44'

Jordi Alba (Barcelona) Blocked Pass at 44'

44'

Attempt missed. Ricardo van Rhijn (Ajax) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Ricardo Kishna following a corner.

44'

Ricardo Kishna (Ajax Amsterdam) Assists Shot at 44'

43'

Corner, Ajax. Conceded by Marc Bartra.

43'

Attempt blocked. Kolbeinn Sigthorsson (Ajax) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

42'

Kolbeinn Sigthorsson (Ajax Amsterdam) Corner Kick at 42'

42'

Corner, Ajax. Conceded by Jordi Alba.

42'

Jordi Alba (Barcelona) Blocked Pass at 42'

42'

Ricardo Van Rhijn (Ajax Amsterdam) Throw In at 42'

41'

Attempt missed. Niki Zimling (Ajax) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Lucas Andersen.

41'

Lucas Andersen (Ajax Amsterdam) Assists Shot at 41'

41'

Ricardo Van Rhijn (Ajax Amsterdam) Throw In at 41'

40'

Jordi Alba (Barcelona) Throw In at 40'

40'

Jordi Alba (Barcelona) Throw In at 40'

39'

Corner, Barcelona. Conceded by Jasper Cillessen.

39'

Andrés Iniesta (Barcelona) Corner Kick at 39'

39'

Attempt saved. Andrés Iniesta (Barcelona) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Neymar.

39'

Neymar (Barcelona) Assists Shot at 39'

38'

Ricardo Van Rhijn (Ajax Amsterdam) Free Kick at 38'

37'

Lasse Schöne (Ajax) wins a free kick on the right wing.

35'

Ivan Rakitic (Barcelona) Free Kick at 35'

35'

Neymar (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

35'

Davy Klaassen (Ajax Amsterdam) Throw In at 35'

34'

Dani Alves (Barcelona) Throw In at 34'

33'

Ivan Rakitic (Barcelona) Free Kick at 33'

32'

Joël Veltman

32'

Neymar (Barcelona) wins a free kick on the left wing.

31'

Nick Viergever (Ajax Amsterdam) Throw In at 31'

30'

Andrés Iniesta (Barcelona) Blocked Pass at 30'

30'

Nick Viergever (Ajax Amsterdam) Throw In at 30'

29'

Pedro (Barcelona) hits the right post with a left footed shot from the centre of the box. Assisted by Lionel Messi.

29'

Lionel Messi (Barcelona) Assists Shot at 29'

29'

Ricardo Van Rhijn (Ajax Amsterdam) Free Kick at 29'

28'

Lucas Andersen (Ajax) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

28'

Neymar (Barcelona) Blocked Pass at 28'

27'

Dani Alves (Barcelona) Throw In at 27'

26'

Lionel Messi (Barcelona) Free Kick at 26'

26'

Lionel Messi (Barcelona) wins a free kick on the right wing.

26'

Dani Alves (Barcelona) Throw In at 26'

24'

2 - 0

Goal! Barcelona 2, Ajax 0. Lionel Messi (Barcelona) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Andrés Iniesta with a through ball.

24'

Andrés Iniesta (Barcelona) Assists Shot at 24'

24'

Lionel Messi (Barcelona) Blocked Pass at 24'

23'

Ricardo Van Rhijn (Ajax Amsterdam) Throw In at 23'

23'

Dani Alves (Barcelona) Throw In at 23'

23'

Davy Klaassen (Ajax Amsterdam) Blocked Pass at 22'

22'

Dani Alves (Barcelona) Throw In at 22'

21'

Javier Mascherano (Barcelona) Free Kick at 21'

21'

Neymar (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

21'

Dani Alves (Barcelona) Free Kick at 21'

20'

Gerard Piqué (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

20'

Dani Alves (Barcelona) Throw In at 20'

18'

Lucas Andersen (Ajax Amsterdam) Blocked Pass at 17'

17'

Dani Alves (Barcelona) Throw In at 17'

16'

Dani Alves (Barcelona) Throw In at 16'

16'

Dani Alves (Barcelona) Throw In at 16'

16'

Davy Klaassen (Ajax Amsterdam) Throw In at 16'

15'

Ricardo Van Rhijn (Ajax Amsterdam) Free Kick at 15'

15'

Niki Zimling (Ajax) wins a free kick on the right wing.

15'

Ricardo Van Rhijn (Ajax Amsterdam) Blocked Pass at 15'

14'

Jordi Alba (Barcelona) Throw In at 14'

14'

Lasse Schöne (Ajax Amsterdam) Blocked Pass at 14'

14'

Jordi Alba (Barcelona) Throw In at 14'

13'

Jordi Alba (Barcelona) Throw In at 13'

13'

Lasse Schöne (Ajax Amsterdam) Blocked Pass at 13'

12'

Lionel Messi (Barcelona) Blocked Pass at 12'

11'

Attempt missed. Lionel Messi (Barcelona) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Jordi Alba.

11'

Jordi Alba (Barcelona) Assists Shot at 11'

11'

Dani Alves (Barcelona) Blocked Pass at 11'

11'

Joël Veltman (Ajax Amsterdam) Free Kick at 11'

10'

Offside, Barcelona. Javier Mascherano tries a through ball, but Neymar is caught offside.

10'

Davy Klaassen (Ajax Amsterdam) Free Kick at 10'

9'

Ricardo Kishna (Ajax) wins a free kick on the left wing.

9'

Niki Zimling (Ajax Amsterdam) Free Kick at 9'

9'

Lasse Schöne (Ajax) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

7'

1 - 0

Goal! Barcelona 1, Ajax 0. Neymar (Barcelona) right footed shot from the left side of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Lionel Messi.

7'

Lionel Messi (Barcelona) Assists Shot at 7'

7'

Ricardo Van Rhijn (Ajax Amsterdam) Free Kick at 7'

7'

Lasse Schöne (Ajax) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

6'

Joël Veltman (Ajax Amsterdam) Free Kick at 6'

6'

Offside, Barcelona. Gerard Piqué tries a through ball, but Neymar is caught offside.

6'

Jordi Alba (Barcelona) Throw In at 6'

4'

Jordi Alba (Barcelona) Throw In at 4'

4'

Ricardo Van Rhijn (Ajax Amsterdam) Blocked Pass at 4'

4'

Dani Alves (Barcelona) Free Kick at 4'

4'

Foul by Ricardo Kishna (Ajax).

3'

Dani Alves (Barcelona) Free Kick at 3'

2'

Ivan Rakitic (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

2'

Nick Viergever (Ajax Amsterdam) Throw In at 2'

1'

First Half begins.

Show all commentary

Possession

63%
37%
  • Barcelona
  • Ajax Amsterdam

Shots

16
9

Shots on target

6
1

Fouls

11
17

Corners

3
3

Yellow Cards

1
3

Red Cards

0
0

Head to Head

Barcelona3 - 1Ajax
Ajax2 - 1Barcelona
Barcelona4 - 0Ajax

Barcelona

  • 1Marc-André ter Stegen
  • 22Dani Alves
  • 3Gerard Piqué
  • 15Marc Bartra
  • 18Jordi Alba
  • 8Andrés Iniesta
  • -> Rafinha
  • 4Ivan Rakitic
  • 10Lionel Messi
  • -> Munir El Haddadi
  • 7Pedro
  • 11Neymar
  • -> Sandro Ramírez
  • 14Javier Mascherano
  • Subs
  • 13Claudio Bravo
  • 6Xavi
  • 2Martin Montoya
  • 26Sergi Samper

Ajax

  • 22Jasper Cillessen
  • 26Nick Viergever
  • 2Ricardo Van Rhijn
  • 3Joël Veltman
  • 4Niklas Moisander
  • 10Davy Klaassen
  • 16Lucas Andersen
  • 9Kolbeinn Sigthorsson
  • -> Anwar El-Ghazi
  • 20Lasse Schöne
  • 11Ricardo Kishna
  • -> Arkadiusz Milik
  • 32Niki Zimling
  • -> Jairo Riedewald
  • Subs
  • 34Queensy Menig
  • 8Lerin Duarte
  • 33Diederik Boer
  • 24Stefano Denswil

Lionel Messi draws level with Ronaldo as Barcelona cruise past Ajax

Lionel Messi drew level with fierce rival Cristiano Ronaldo in the race to become the Champions League's all-time top goalscorer as Barcelona warmed up for El Clasico with a 3-1 victory over Ajax.

Both Messi and Real Madrid's Ronaldo have now scored 69 goals in the competition after the Argentinian followed up Neymar's first-half opener at the Nou Camp on Tuesday night.

He was later withdrawn with a view to keeping him fresh for Saturday's showdown at the Santiago Bernabeu and remains, along with Ronaldo, two goals shy of former Real striker Raul's record tally.

Ajax steadily gained a foothold as the second half progressed but, shortly after Anwar El Ghazi halved the deficit, Sandro Ramirez rubber-stamped the result with a stoppage-time strike.

The win sees Barca reach six points and retain second place in Group F behind Paris St Germain, who beat APOEL in Cyprus.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen enjoyed a relatively quiet night in the Barca goal as his team-mates ran their Dutch opponents ragged for most of the match.

The first goal arrived after only eight minutes.

Scintillating one-touch football sent Barca's forward line accelerating into the Ajax box and, when Neymar received Messi's pass out to the left, he happily slammed the ball beyond Jasper Cillessen.

The Catalans set up camp in the Dutch half, with Messi soon testing his aim with a left-footed scoop shot over the bar from the edge of the box.

His aim was true in the 24th minute as he reached yet another major landmark in his career.

When a casual clearance from the Ajax backline was bounced into Andres Iniesta's path, the diminutive midfielder spotted Messi's run immediately and provided him with a perfect assist.

The Argentinian duly tucked the ball underneath Cillessen to draw level with Ronaldo and within only two goals of catching Raul.

Barca should have scored a third when Messi released Pedro on the left shortly before the half-hour, but the winger could only slam the ball against the far post with Cillessen beaten once again.

Iniesta might have added goal number three before the break, and in sumptuous fashion.

After dancing past four defenders and into a one-on-one with Cillessen, he tried to chip the Ajax goalkeeper only to watch the ball glance off his fingers and bobble just wide.

The onslaught continued when play resumed, but Messi was denied his second by the offside flag after racing forward to tuck away Pedro's parried drive.

Messi then danced through defence in his trademark style, only to ruffle the side-netting, and Ajax soon enjoyed their first sight on goal as Ricardo Van Rhijn blasted past a post.

Perhaps with the weekend's El Clasico encounter in mind, coach Luis Enrique withdrew Messi for Munir - the striker's quest to surpass Ronaldo's achievements on hold for another fortnight at least.

While Barca remained firmly in control of proceedings they were keen to score again and cement their victory and Ivan Rakitic gave Cillessen a real scare with a thunderous attempt from distance.

The scare they had hoped to avoid arrived, however, as El Ghazi bundled the ball home two minutes from time when Barca failed to clear their lines.

Four minutes of stoppage time beckoned and, although the hosts looked comfortable in riding out the final exchanges, Sandro's low attempt at the end of a counter-attack did enough to fool Cillessen.

ends




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