København triumph shocks Ajax

FC København defied the odds to overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit with a 2-0 win at AFC Ajax that earned them a place in the UEFA Champions League group stage.

Shock result
An own goal from Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen proved to be the decider on the night as the Dutch side somehow conspired to lose a tie which had until then been poised in their favour.

First-half chances
Ajax started brightly, creating a number of opportunities in the first half and forcing their Danish visitors to defend deep. Mauro Rosales and Ryan Babel created two good chances for Gabri García while Jaap Stam, Wesley Sneijder and Babel all tested Jesper Christiansen's goal. Babel's effort looped over the keeper but hit the post while it took a goalline interception from Tobias Linderoth to deny Stam on the stroke of half-time.

Silberbauer strike
Henk ten Cate's side were to pay for all the wasted chances after the break. After 59 minutes, a Linderoth free-kick was turned into the net by Michael Silberbauer, who evaded his marker Urby Emanuelson. With the hosts looking shell-shocked, Vermaelen then applied the killer blow, turning in a cross from William Jørgensen after 72 minutes.

Huntelaar denied
Ajax rallied in the closing stages, with Klaas Jan Huntelaar heading against the crossbar, but the Danes held on to spark massive celebrations at the final whistle.