​Europa: Ajax stun Lyon in overwhelming semifinal display

Dutch giant, Ajax Amsterdam, boosted their chances of making it to the UEFA Europa League final by thrashing French side, Olympique Lyon, 4-1 in the first leg of their semi-final tie at the Amsterdam Arena on Wednesday.

The home team led when on-loan Chelsea striker Bertrand Traore glanced in a header 25 minutes into the game, before Kasper Dolberg doubled the lead after a defensive confusion less than 10 minutes later.

After the break, Amin Younes struck a third via a deflection, before Mathieu Valbuena gave Lyon hope by curling in an away goal. But Traore added his second to give Ajax full control in the tie.

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The win extended Ajax’s unbeaten run at home in all competitions to 21, winning 20 games.

And the Dutch side have just closed in on a first European final since defeat in the European Cup to Juventus in 1996.

Lyon, who have never played in a major European final, will now need to overturn a three-goal deficit in the second leg on 11 May if they are to face either Manchester United or Celta Vigo in the final in Stockholm 13 days later.

The other semi final tie will hold on Thursday, as Man United travel to Spain for the first leg clash.

 

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