Football: Ajax into Europa League final
Ajax reached Europa League final despite losing 3-1 away to Lyon in their semi-final second leg.
LYON (AFP) - Dutch giants Ajax secured their ticket to the Europa League final on Thursday despite losing 3-1 away to Lyon in their semi-final second leg.
Ajax s 4-1 win in the first leg in Amsterdam saw them through against their French rivals with the 1992 winners progressing 5-4 on aggregate.
Kasper Dolberg scored early for Ajax but a quickfire Alexandre Lacazette double -- the first from the penalty spot -- just before the break reignited Lyon s hopes of a first European final.
Substitute Rachid Ghezzal nodded in a heavily-deflected third late on as Ajax played the final minutes with ten men after Dutch international Nick Viergever received a second booking.
Ajax, meanwhile, looked to have killed their tie against Lyon following their 4-1 win in last week s home leg when Kasper Dolberg gave them a 27th-minute lead.
But a quick-fire double right at the end of the first period from Alexandre Lacazette -- the first from the penalty spot -- gave the French side hope.
Substitute Rachid Ghezzal s heavily deflected header nine minutes from time made it 3-1 on the night and Dutch international Nick Viergever s sending-off gave Lyon extra impetus.
But they could not find an all-important fourth to send the tie into extra-time.
Instead, Ajax will play their first final in this competition since winning the trophy in 1992 and their first European final since losing to Juventus in the Champions League in 1996.
"It was a strange evening that had started well," said Ajax coach Peter Bosz.
"My players were downcast in the locker room.
"There was nothing going on until the last minute of the first half, when everything went wrong.
"Lyon pressed hard and got chances until the final whistle. But over the two games I think our qualification was deserved."
Lyon coach Bruno Genesio added: "There s a lot of frustration this evening but our regrets are all to do with the away match."
