Juventus splashed out 100 million euros on the five-time Champions League-winner last summer and the Portuguese star headed in his 126th Champions League goal to put the home team in front on Tuesday. But a young Ajax team, spearheaded by teen defender Matthijs De Ligt, 19, ran riot in the second half to seal a famous 3-2 aggregate victory.Ajax did not just upset Juventus, they outplayed them, having conquered the mighty Real Madrid earlier. For Ajax once again it was homegrown youngsters, who caught the eye. Besides van de Beek and de Ligt, Frenkie de Jong, 21, sparkled in midfield and Brazilian David Neres, glinted in attack. But the team is already starting to break up. De Jong has agreed to join Barcelona next season and the De Ligt is also likely to leave.
Even Cristiano Ronaldo was not enough for Juventus to end their 23-year wait for the European title as they crashed out in the Champions League quarter-finals for a second consecutive year.
"We should have scored five," said Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek, 21, who turned the tide with a first-half equaliser when Juventus were on top. Captain De Ligt then score the winning header in the 67th minute.
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