Porto Dumped Out Of Champions League, Ajax Survive Scare
Porto were knocked out of the Champions League after losing to Russia’s FC Krasnodar on away goals, while last season’s semi-finalists Ajax survived a scare to make the final play-off round.
It is the first time 2004 winners Porto have missed out on the Champions League group stages since the 2010-11 season.
The Portuguese side led 1-0 from the first-leg, but were 3-0 down after 34 minutes at the Estadio do Dragao.
Despite second-half goals from Ze Luis and Luis Diaz they lost 3-2.
Ajax came from a goal down to beat Greek Champions PAOK 3-2 at home, to win 5-4 on aggregate.
Dusan Tadic missed a penalty in the 32nd minute after Diego Biseswar’s opener, but the Serbian made amends as he scored from the spot just before half-time.
Nicolas Tagliafico doubled Ajax’s lead with 11 minutes left, before Tadic scored a second penalty in the 85th minute to make it 3-1, with Biseswar getting his second for the visitors in injury time.
The Dutch champions will next play Cypriot side Apoel Nicosia for a place in the Champions League group stages.
