AMSTERDAM--Ajax Amsterdam saw off Lille 2-1 on Thursday evening to book their place in the last sixteen of the Europa League. Ajax progress 4-2 on aggregate.
Without Nicolas Tagliafico and Noussair Mazraoui, Ajax-manager Erik ten Hag moved Daley Blind to left-back, while Devyne Rensch started again at right-back.
Leading 2-1 from the first-leg, Ajax had the advantage but Lille showed their attacking intent from the start. The French side had an effort cleared off the line by Lisandro Martinez early on, while Renato Sanchez also went close.
In the 15th minute, Ajax got a free-kick and Dusan Tadic crossed for Davy Klaassen to head the hosts in front. On the half-hour mark, Ajax could have doubled their lead but Rensch was denied by Mike Maignan.
In the second half, Lille pushed forward but Ajax-goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg denied Timothy Weah, while Sanchez went close on two occasions.
Ajax brought on forward Brian Brobbey for Antony as they looked to take more control of the game. The 19-year-old helped Ajax create three big chances, but Tadic, Klaassen, and David Neres could not find a way past Maignan.
In the 76th minute, Lille were awarded a penalty as Martinez was punished by VAR for a barge on Jonathan David, and Yusuf Yazici equalised from the penalty spot.
It was nervy for Ajax but with two minutes left, Brobbey set up David Neres to net from close range to make it 2-1.
