Ajax’s Champions League woes deepened after falling to another defeat, this time against fellow underperformers Benfica, leaving them rooted to the bottom of the group.
The Dutch giants extended their poor European run with a fifth consecutive loss in this season’s campaign, having also lost three straight games in the Europa League last season.
Benfica, who had also endured six straight losses, finally secured a vital first Champions League victory under the management of Jose Mourinho.
Benfica took an early lead in the sixth minute thanks to Samuel Dahl’s unstoppable strike.
Ajax pushed hard for an equalizer, with goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin making key saves from Davy Klaassen and Rayane Bounida.
Oscar Gloukh also tested Trubin with a powerful shot at the near post as Ajax kept pressing for a goal.
However, Benfica sealed the win in stoppage time when Leandro Barreiro broke free and fired in a powerful finish.
The victory reignites Benfica’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages, while Ajax face an early exit, still without points and with only one goal scored.
