Just because they could, Real Madrid added a pair of second half goals to their two-goal first half tally to blow past Ajax and win Group G of the UEFA Champions League. After two brilliant first half goals, Madrid left the second half scoring to Cristiano Ronaldo, who slotted one home from close range to make it a 3-0 match before putting away a penalty for the club's fourth goal of the match that clinches their spot as group winners.
Ajax Vs. Real Madrid: Madrid Cruises To 4-0 Victory Despite Late Match Oddities
On the flip side of the coin is Ajax, who is now eliminated for the Champions League thanks to their loss and AC Milan’s win over Auxerre. The Amsterdam club entered the day a point behind Milan, but now sit four points back with just one match to go. After falling behind 2-0 and looking completely overwhelmed, Ajax was holding out hope that Auxerre could hold on to the scoreless match they were in with Milan. Had they done so, Ajax would have played at Milan on the final match day with a win putting them through to the knockout stages, but instead they will have to go to the San Siro with nothing on line.
Most intriguing in the second half between Madrid and Ajax was the sending off of Xabi Alonso late in the match, only to be followed by Sergio Ramos, who was also sent off just a bit later. The pair will now miss the insignificant group stage finale against Auxerre and will have their card slate wiped clean in the knock out stage. That, along with their cheery dispositions as the referee showed them their red cards will cause some cynics to believe that manager Jose Mourinho instructed each to get sent off, but for now that will remain nothing more than speculation.
What isn’t speculation is that when the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 draw takes place on December 17, Real Madrid will be slotted in as one of the group winners to play a second-place team from another group while AC Milan will be one of those second-place teams awaiting their draw with a group winner. All of this will be while Ajax sits home and watches on television.
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