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Ajax missed the chance to take a first-leg lead in their Champions League quarter-final with Juventus, drawing 1-1 at the Johan Cruyff Arena despite dominating the Serie A leaders.
Having shocked Real Madrid in the last-16, Ajax showed it was no fluke with a high-octane, high-pressing and high-quality performance. They were easily the better side before half-time only to fall behind to Cristiano Ronaldo's 45th-minute header, his 125th Champions League goal.
But they responded inside 30 seconds of the second half when David Neres caught Joao Cancelo in possession and raced into the area, before firing a powerful low effort into the far corner.
With time running out Champions League debutant Jurgen Ekkelenkamp forced Wojciech Szczesny into a full-length save, while Douglas Costa rattled the post at the other end, but the tie ended finely balanced ahead of the return leg at the Allianz Stadium next Tuesday.
The scoreline did not tell the full story in Amsterdam, and Ajax may be left to rue failing to turn their dominance into further goals when they visit Turin, where Juventus have lost only four times in Europe in the last 15 years.
Player ratings
Ajax: Onana (6), Veltman (7), De Ligt (8), Blind (7), Tagliafico (8), Schone (6), De Jong (6), Ziyech (7), Van den Beek (7), Neres (8), Tadic (7).
Subs: Ekkelenkamp (6).
Juventus: Szczesny (7), Cancelo (6), Bonucci (6), Rugani (6), Alex Sandro (6), Bentancur (7), Pjanic (5), Matuidi (6), Bernardeschi (6), Mandzukic (5), Ronaldo (6).
Subs: Douglas Costa (7), Dybala (6), Khedira (n/a).
The visitors were well aware of the growing reputation of Erik ten Hag's side to press, harry and punish, and they looked to extinguish their youthful exuberance from the off with Federico Bernadeschi firing just over inside the opening minute.
But soon Ajax were into full flow, pinning their Italian opponents back and restricting their often devastating counter-attacking style, with Cristiano Ronaldo a passenger for much of the opening period.
Instead, the hosts came into their own with Donny van de Beek inches away from finding the far corner on the turn after letting the ball run across him.
But on the stroke of half-time, Ronaldo showed the ruthless touch he has possessed for so many years as Juventus enjoyed a rare counter-attack.
He set Cancelo away on the right and the full-back raced forward, before looking up and spotting a late run from the forward, who was totally unmarked to head past Andre Onana for the opener.
Ajax's response was rapid, with less than 30 seconds of the second half on the clock before they pulled themselves level.
Team news
Ajax were without the suspended Noussair Mazraoui, and made Joel Veltman the only change from their 4-1 win in Madrid last month.
Juventus welcomed back Cristiano Ronaldo after a month out with injury, and recalled Joao Cancelo from their weekend win over Milan.
The hosts kept possession from kick-off, eventually playing it back to Onana whose long pass was intercepted by Cancelo. But his heavy touch allowed Neres to rob him and he outpaced the defender, before turning inside and firing powerfully into the far corner.
Ajax's high-intensity pressing continued as they overloaded attacking areas, but their final ball was not quite cute enough to create any more clear-cut chances.
Substitute Ekkelenkamp almost enjoyed a perfect European debut five days after his 19th birthday but was denied by Szczesny on the turn, before Costa nearly broke Ajax hearts when rattling the post after beating Joel Veltman with a wonderful piece of skill.
But Ajax were forced to settle for a first-leg draw as they showed once again their capability to mix it with Europe's best clubs on the biggest stage of them all.
TALKING POINT
Ajax shine once more, but Ronaldo's love affair with this competition continues. The Dutch side have earned plenty of admirers for a thrilling CL adventure that has seen them reach this juncture for the first time since 2002-03, and they were the better side by some distance for large spells in this first leg.
However, Ronaldo's sensational ability to produce the goods in the latter stages of Europe's elite competition means Juventus return home with what could be a vital away goal. The 34-year-old was bought by the Bianconeri to help them get over the final hurdle and win this trophy for the first time since 1996, having lost two of the last four finals.
And with an eighth straight Serie A title just a point away, don't be surprised to see the Italian giants wrap their No.7 in cotton wool ready for Europe. It's advantage Juve, but don't rule out an Ajax side who hit four at the Bernabeu in the last round just yet.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Frenkie de Jong (Ajax). The 21-year-old pulled the strings in the midfield and controlled much of the proceedings as he showed once more why Barcelona were so keen to sign him up for next season.
KEY MOMENTS
18' - AJAX CHANCE! Ziyech takes aim with a curling effort from the edge of the area but Szczesny manages to get across to tip it over the bar.
25' - AJAX CHANCE! Donny van de Beek turns on to Tadic's cut back from the right and flashes a shot agonisingly wide of the far post on the stretch.
45' - GOAL! Ajax 0-1 Juventus. Ronaldo returns with a bang. That's his 125th CL goal and it's a bullet header from João Cancelo's cross.
46' - GOAL! Ajax 1-1 Juventus. Ajax level right from the off. David Neres seizes upon an error by Cancelo, races towards the left of the area and curves a wonderful shot into the far corner.
82' - AJAX CHANCE! Almost a dream CL debut for Ekkelenkamp as he spins on to a delicious flick, but sees his low effort beaten away by Szczesny.
85' - JUVENTUS CHANCE! Douglas Costa embarks upon a stunning, super-charged solo run on the left before unleashing a low drive that cannons back off the far post.
KEY STATS
Ronaldo is now the joint-top goalscorer of Champions League goals at the Johan Cruijff Arena with six goals (level with Zlatan Ibrahimovic).
Neres has now scored seven goals in his last eight games across all competitions for Ajax.
Ajax have come from behind to score the equaliser more often than any other team this Champions League season (six times).
Ajax missed the chance to take a first-leg lead in their Champions League quarter-final with Juventus, drawing 1-1 at the Johan Cruyff Arena despite dominating the Serie A leaders.
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| Cristiano Ronaldo scored the opener for his 125th Champions League goal |
But they responded inside 30 seconds of the second half when David Neres caught Joao Cancelo in possession and raced into the area, before firing a powerful low effort into the far corner.
With time running out Champions League debutant Jurgen Ekkelenkamp forced Wojciech Szczesny into a full-length save, while Douglas Costa rattled the post at the other end, but the tie ended finely balanced ahead of the return leg at the Allianz Stadium next Tuesday.
The scoreline did not tell the full story in Amsterdam, and Ajax may be left to rue failing to turn their dominance into further goals when they visit Turin, where Juventus have lost only four times in Europe in the last 15 years.
Player ratings
Ajax: Onana (6), Veltman (7), De Ligt (8), Blind (7), Tagliafico (8), Schone (6), De Jong (6), Ziyech (7), Van den Beek (7), Neres (8), Tadic (7).
Subs: Ekkelenkamp (6).
Juventus: Szczesny (7), Cancelo (6), Bonucci (6), Rugani (6), Alex Sandro (6), Bentancur (7), Pjanic (5), Matuidi (6), Bernardeschi (6), Mandzukic (5), Ronaldo (6).
Subs: Douglas Costa (7), Dybala (6), Khedira (n/a).
The visitors were well aware of the growing reputation of Erik ten Hag's side to press, harry and punish, and they looked to extinguish their youthful exuberance from the off with Federico Bernadeschi firing just over inside the opening minute.
But soon Ajax were into full flow, pinning their Italian opponents back and restricting their often devastating counter-attacking style, with Cristiano Ronaldo a passenger for much of the opening period.
Instead, the hosts came into their own with Donny van de Beek inches away from finding the far corner on the turn after letting the ball run across him.
But on the stroke of half-time, Ronaldo showed the ruthless touch he has possessed for so many years as Juventus enjoyed a rare counter-attack.
He set Cancelo away on the right and the full-back raced forward, before looking up and spotting a late run from the forward, who was totally unmarked to head past Andre Onana for the opener.
Ajax's response was rapid, with less than 30 seconds of the second half on the clock before they pulled themselves level.
Team news
Ajax were without the suspended Noussair Mazraoui, and made Joel Veltman the only change from their 4-1 win in Madrid last month.
Juventus welcomed back Cristiano Ronaldo after a month out with injury, and recalled Joao Cancelo from their weekend win over Milan.
The hosts kept possession from kick-off, eventually playing it back to Onana whose long pass was intercepted by Cancelo. But his heavy touch allowed Neres to rob him and he outpaced the defender, before turning inside and firing powerfully into the far corner.
Ajax's high-intensity pressing continued as they overloaded attacking areas, but their final ball was not quite cute enough to create any more clear-cut chances.
Substitute Ekkelenkamp almost enjoyed a perfect European debut five days after his 19th birthday but was denied by Szczesny on the turn, before Costa nearly broke Ajax hearts when rattling the post after beating Joel Veltman with a wonderful piece of skill.
But Ajax were forced to settle for a first-leg draw as they showed once again their capability to mix it with Europe's best clubs on the biggest stage of them all.
TALKING POINT
Ajax shine once more, but Ronaldo's love affair with this competition continues. The Dutch side have earned plenty of admirers for a thrilling CL adventure that has seen them reach this juncture for the first time since 2002-03, and they were the better side by some distance for large spells in this first leg.
However, Ronaldo's sensational ability to produce the goods in the latter stages of Europe's elite competition means Juventus return home with what could be a vital away goal. The 34-year-old was bought by the Bianconeri to help them get over the final hurdle and win this trophy for the first time since 1996, having lost two of the last four finals.
And with an eighth straight Serie A title just a point away, don't be surprised to see the Italian giants wrap their No.7 in cotton wool ready for Europe. It's advantage Juve, but don't rule out an Ajax side who hit four at the Bernabeu in the last round just yet.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Frenkie de Jong (Ajax). The 21-year-old pulled the strings in the midfield and controlled much of the proceedings as he showed once more why Barcelona were so keen to sign him up for next season.
KEY MOMENTS
18' - AJAX CHANCE! Ziyech takes aim with a curling effort from the edge of the area but Szczesny manages to get across to tip it over the bar.
25' - AJAX CHANCE! Donny van de Beek turns on to Tadic's cut back from the right and flashes a shot agonisingly wide of the far post on the stretch.
45' - GOAL! Ajax 0-1 Juventus. Ronaldo returns with a bang. That's his 125th CL goal and it's a bullet header from João Cancelo's cross.
46' - GOAL! Ajax 1-1 Juventus. Ajax level right from the off. David Neres seizes upon an error by Cancelo, races towards the left of the area and curves a wonderful shot into the far corner.
82' - AJAX CHANCE! Almost a dream CL debut for Ekkelenkamp as he spins on to a delicious flick, but sees his low effort beaten away by Szczesny.
85' - JUVENTUS CHANCE! Douglas Costa embarks upon a stunning, super-charged solo run on the left before unleashing a low drive that cannons back off the far post.
KEY STATS
Ronaldo is now the joint-top goalscorer of Champions League goals at the Johan Cruijff Arena with six goals (level with Zlatan Ibrahimovic).
Neres has now scored seven goals in his last eight games across all competitions for Ajax.
Ajax have come from behind to score the equaliser more often than any other team this Champions League season (six times).
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