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By Our Reporter
Ajax scored a dramatic late winner to come from behind and defeat Villarreal 2–1 at the Estadio de la Cerámica on Tuesday, keeping their slim Champions League play-off hopes alive.
After a goalless first half, Villarreal took the lead four minutes after the restart when Tani Oluwaseyi struck a powerful volley from close range. The Spanish side appeared on course for their first win of the campaign but failed to capitalise on several chances.
Ajax responded on 61 minutes through Oscar Gloukh, whose free-kick evaded everyone before flying into the top corner. The visitors then completed the turnaround in the closing moments when Anton Gaaei pulled the ball back for Oliver Edvardsen to score the decisive goal.
The win is Ajax’s second in succession after losing their opening five matches in the competition, leaving them on six points and still in contention for a place in the top 24. They must beat Galatasaray in their final league-stage match in Amsterdam to have any chance of reaching the play-offs.
Villarreal, who sit third in La Liga, remain without a win in the Champions League, having picked up just one point from six matches. Missed chances from Nicolas Pépé and Renato Veiga proved costly as their European campaign continued to falter.