Historic humiliation! Madrid's European empire falls as Tadic and Ajax destroy champions

The Blancos' long continental reign is over after a shock second leg defeat - a result that will have huge ramifications in the Spanish capital

Today’s empire, tomorrow’s ashes. ’s vice-like grip on the is over.

Electric stunned the 13-time European champions at the Santiago Bernabeu with a 4-1 (5-3 aggregate) victory, ending their reign of over 1,000 days as kings of the continent.

And Madrid’s veteran generals will fade too. Santiago Solari has started that process by dumping Marcelo, Gareth Bale and Isco on the bench - or in the case of the latter, in the stands - although he too will fall.

This result sealed Solari’s fate and he will not manage the club next season. He cannot, after presiding over the greatest humiliation in their recent history.

Two Clasico defeats by and this elimination by Ajax saw Madrid’s entire season crumble in the space of seven days.

They have nothing left to play for, out of the , 12 points behind leaders Barcelona in and eliminated from the Champions League in the last 16 for the first time since 2006.

Madrid have won the Champions League for three seasons in a row but were dismantled by Ajax as the Santiago Bernabeu’s nerves were shredded on a thrilling evening in the capital.

Solari’s side came into the last 16 second leg on Tuesday with the cushion of a 2-1 away triumph in Amsterdam, something captain Sergio Ramos deemed big enough to get himself booked for deliberately so as to be suspended for this clash.

It could have been far more uncomfortable, had VAR not ruled out a Nicolas Tagliafico goal in the first leg, or Kasper Dolberg not spurned a late chance when sent through on Thibaut Courtois’s goal.

Ramos was badly missed, with Ajax’s fancy footwork and nimble movement in attack terrifying his replacement Nacho Fernandez (who was sent off late on) and Raphael Varane.

Varane hit the bar early on with a header but Ajax bit back immediately with the phenomenal Dusan Tadic feeding Hakim Ziyech who stroked home the opener.

The Moroccan playmaker struck in the first leg and was a problem for Madrid’s defence all night - although former midfielder Tadic was even better.

Operating upfront in a false nine role, the Ajax No 10 played more like Barcelona’s No 10. His assist for David Neres’s second goal was remarkable, including a spinning roulette turn that left Casemiro dizzy and in the dust.

Gareth Bale, on as a substitute for the injured Lucas Vazquez, hit the post as Madrid tried to fight their way back into the game, but nothing went Los Blancos’ way on a frustrating night.

That was emphasised when Ajax scored their third, a sensational shot into the top corner from Tadic, his sixth goal of the competition. Along with three assists, that’s nine direct contributions to goals - no player has more in the Champions League.

Madrid quarrelled that the ball went out of play earlier in the move - and though the incident was referred to VAR, which seemed to show that the ball DID go out of play - eventually the goal was given.

Tagliafico’s first-leg goal was struck from the records using video, but this time the technology did not save Madrid’s bacon.

Nothing could, because they were outclassed and outfought, with this result and elimination a long time coming.

Madrid have enjoyed great luck over the past three seasons as they have won their trophies, with their Liga struggles showing that they are not a great side anymore, despite what the history books say.

Marco Asensio pulled one back for Madrid, giving them momentary hope, but Lasse Schone’s spectacular, dipping free-kick slammed that door in their face as soon as it opened, ensuring Madrid’s era of European dominance is finally at an end.</s>MADRID (AP) — Three-time defending champion Real Madrid knocked out of Champions League in round of 16 after 4-1 home loss to Ajax.</s>Three-time defending champion Real Madrid knocked out of Champions League in round of 16 after 4-1 home loss to Ajax

MADRID (AP) — Three-time defending champion Real Madrid knocked out of Champions League in round of 16 after 4-1 home loss to Ajax.</s>Real Madrid will take on Ajax at the Bernabeu in the Champions League this evening. Real are chasing their fourth Champions League title in a row and go into the last 16 clash against Ajax with a 2-1 aggregate lead. However, Real Madrid are on a run of three consecutive home defeats - with two of those at the hands of bitter rivals Barcelona. Speaking ahead of the clash against Ajax, Real Madrid star Luka Modric admitted his side have been missing Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo as well as former manager Zinedine Zidane were at Real when they won three Champions League trophies in a row. Modric said: “Given what he did for us and this club, we miss Cristiano”. The Croatian midfield ace added: “The club wanted the other players to make up for what Ronaldo did, divided between the strikers and that is not easy. “Cristiano scored 50 goals and you can't find someone today who scores that many. Some of us have to take a step forward and, while not scoring 50, what we need is two or three players who score 15, 20, or 10 goals and we don't have that. “That is our biggest problem this year. For example against Barca in the cup we had many chances and when you don't take advantage your opponent punishes you.” So, if you want to watch all the action from Real Madrid Ajax then here’s how to tune in online.

How to watch Real Madrid vs Ajax online Coverage of today’s Champions League match between Real Madrid and Ajax will be shown live on BT Sport 3 (Sky 417, Sky HD 869, BT TV 410) with coverage starting at 7.45pm and kick-off at 8pm. BT Sport will also be showing the match on desktop computers or laptops via the company's own site. The BT Sport enhanced video player is available online. But EE mobile customers will be able to stream the game for free thanks to a subscription plan announced by the network.</s>The home comforts the UEFA Champions League provides Real Madrid probably can’t come soon enough for Los Blancos.

Real Madrid will host Ajax on Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Tuesday in the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 series. Real Madrid leads Ajax 2-1 thanks to its Feb. 13 win in Amsterdam and is heavily favored to advance to the quarterfinals for the ninth consecutive season.

Real Madrid also is coming off three consecutive defeats at hom, including back-to-back losses to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey (Spanish Cup) and La Liga (Spanish league). The hosts will rely on striker Karim Benzema to maintain his fine form and fire them past Ajax.

Ajax has won the three games it has played since losing to Real Madrid, with a win over Feyenoord in the Dutch Cup semifinals following heavy victories over NAC Breda and ADO Den Haag late last month.

TNT will broadcast Real Madrid versus Ajax in English, and UniMas will broadcast it in Spanish in the United States. Here’s how to watch the game online.</s>You Can Watch the Live Match Stream of Real Madrid Vs Ajax via beIN CONNECT

Real Madrid's dismal run of form continued as Ajax won 4-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu to dump the Champions League holders out of the competition for the first time since 2014-15.

After winning Europe's elite club tournament in three consecutive years under Zinedine Zidane, a tough first campaign since the French icon's departure was capped in remarkable fashion on Tuesday in a 5-3 aggregate loss.

Madrid fell apart in the first half and saw their 2-1 first-leg lead overturned in the opening 20 minutes by goals from Hakim Ziyech and David Neres as Ajax ran riot.

The irrepressible Dusan Tadic added another with a controversial second-half strike, leaving Madrid requiring three goals to stay in the competition, and although Marco Asensio got one back, a fourth home defeat in a row never looked in doubt as Lasse Schone made it four.

With two of those reverses coming at the hands of bitter rivals Barcelona last week before this humbling, pressure will undoubtedly build on head coach Santiago Solari's position.

The unmarked Raphael Varane headed against the crossbar inside five minutes, but Ajax settled into the contest thereafter and two superb pieces of creative play from Dusan Tadic swiftly wiped out Madrid's away goals.

Tadic first darted in behind Nacho Fernandez to square for Ziyech to sidefoot into the bottom left corner and then the Serbia international left Casemiro in a spin and played in Neres for a calm finish.

Ajax passed up further chances before a horrible half for the hosts was compounded by injuries to Lucas Vazquez and Vinicius Junior in quick succession.

Substitute Gareth Bale, jeered off the pitch against Barca, was again whistled by his own supporters and almost gifted Ziyech a third goal before striking the post at the other end.

Madrid scarcely improved after the restart and Tadic was rightly the man to put the tie beyond them, slamming into the top-left corner before a lengthy delay as VAR finally advised the referee that the ball had not gone out of play earlier in the move.

A belated response saw Asensio slide a finish beyond Andre Onana, but there was no let up in Ajax's attacking ambition and a glorious Schone free-kick caught out the scrambling Courtois, before a frustrated Nacho was sent off in stoppage time.

Goal! Wow! Lasse Schöne curls in a free-kick from the left wing which dips into the top corner! Ajax go 4-1 up!

Goal! Asensio pulls one back for Los Blancos, is it too little, too late for the European Cup holders?

Goal! Dusan Tadic! What a goal! Ajax go 3-0 up! (After a bit of VAR checking) it's allowed!

Chance! Karim Benzema tries to curl the ball into the far post but is denied by André Onana

Chance! Gareth Bale hits the post with his chipped chance!

Chance! A lung-busting run from Vinicius, but his shot hits the side netting!

Goal! Oh my! Magic from Tadic to set up David Neres who scores from close range! Ajax lead 2-0 on the night and 3-2 on aggregate!

Goal! Hakim Ziyech latches onto a Tadic cut back and finds the bottom corner! Ajax take an early lead!

Chance! Rafa Verane rattled the post with an early effort!

Peep! We are underway in Madrid!

I wonder how Gareth Bale feels sitting on the sidelines tonight? With rumours of the Welshman leaving Madrid in the summer, our studio guest Marcel Desailly doesn't believe the Los Blancos number 11 will ever make it as an exceptional player!

Now for Ajax! It's a full strength side from the four-time European Cup winners! Dusan Tadic will lead the line!

Team News! Gareth Bale is on the bench, Vasquez replaces the Welsh winger! Nacho comes into the side to replace the suspended Sergio Ramos!

European nights are special for Real Madrid! How amazing is this welcome for the Euopean Cup holders?!

Los Blancos are in the building!

So here we go! Just under one hour till game time!

Good evening! Welcome to the Live Updates of Real Madrid Vs Ajax in the Champions League. After being dumped out of the Copa del Rey and La Liga in the space of four days, The Champions League is the only hope of a trophy for Real Madrid this season. Luckily for Los Blancos, they have won the last three Champions League titles and are gunning for a fourth. Santigo Solari's side has a 2-1 lead heading into the second leg but will be wary of the threat posed by four times European Cup winners Ajax, who tested Real during the first leg. As ever, join me for all the latest build-up, team news and goals as they go in from the game!</s>Ajax stunned host Real Madrid, 4-1, in the Champions League on Tuesday, eliminating Madrid on aggregate and ending the three-time defending champion’s run of dominance in the competition.

Ajax won the two-legged series on aggregate, 5-3. It needed less than 20 minutes to reverse a 2-1 deficit from the first leg in Amsterdam, with Hakim Ziyech scoring in the seventh minute and David Neres in the 18th.

Dusan Tadic, who set up both first-half goals, added to the lead in the 62nd, and Lasse Schone sealed the Dutch team’s triumph — and its first Champions League quarterfinal appearance since 2003 — with a free kick from a tight angle in the 72nd.

It was the fourth straight home loss for Madrid, something that had not happened since 2004, and capped one of the worst weeks in the club’s recent history. It also tumbled out of the Copa del Rey and the Liga title race.</s>Real Madrid shockingly fell behind against Ajax at Santiago Bernebeu on Tuesday, and many were quick to take to social media to both express their disbelief and ridicule the defending champions.

The Dutch side entered Tuesday's match trailing, having been on the end of a 2-1 defeat in the first leg that certainly felt flattering to Madrid.

Still, Ajax opened the scoring in the seventh minute through Hachim Ziyech, who finished first-time to level the score at 2-2 on aggregate.

However, Real Madrid still had the advantage on away goals before Dusan Tadic helped create Ajax's second, spinning past Casemiro before setting up David Neres as Ajax took the lead.

With Neres' goal, Ajax took a 3-2 lead on aggregate within 18 minutes after dominating large portions of the first leg.

And while Ajax were easing past Real Madrid's backline, Twitter was quick to revel in and dissect the Spanish side's struggles.</s>Ajax head coach Erik ten Hag labelled his side's 4-1 win over Real Madrid as "pretty close to perfection" as they dumped the Champions League holders out of the competition.

The Dutch side trailed 2-1 after the first leg of their last-16 tie in Amsterdam, but a sensational performance at the Santiago Bernabeu in the return fixture saw them through to the quarter-finals and bring Real’s three-year grip on the trophy to a stunning end.

Hakim Ziyech and David Neres scored inside the first 20 minutes to put the Eredivisie side in front on aggregate.

Former Southampton forward Dusan Tadic – brilliant in creating the first two goals – then added a third for Ajax shortly after the hour mark.

Marco Asensio brought Real Madrid back into the game but that was swiftly followed by a spectacular Lasse Schone free-kick, allowing Ajax to coast to a famous 5-3 aggregate victory that had boss Ten Hag purring.

"This was pretty close to perfection," he told Veronica TV after the game. "Over the two matches, we definitely deserved to progress to the next round. I enjoyed watching my team immensely this evening.”

The Dutch champions, four-time winners of the competition, hadn’t featured in the knockout stages of the Champions League for 13 years.

But their thrilling victory in the Spanish capital means they go through to the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 2003, where they were beaten by eventual winners Milan.

Speaking about Ajax’s ambitions for the rest of the competition, Ten Hag refused to put a limit on what they could achieve this campaign.

"Let's not forget that we started in the qualifying rounds. But we are still in the running for three prizes and we want to win them all,” he added.

"I have no influence on the draw, so I'm not going to think about it. All the possible opponents are big teams - but so were Real Madrid."

Next up for Ajax is a return to Eredivisie action against Fortuna Sittard at Johan Cruyff Arena on Sunday.

Ten Hag’s side are currently second in the table, five points behind leaders PSV Eindhoven, with a game in hand.</s>Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana has described his side's 4-1 win over Real Madrid on Tuesday night as a dream come true.

Erik Ten Hag's side bounced the Champions League holders out of the competition with a 5-3 aggregate victory despite suffering a 2-1 loss in the first-leg.

Hakim Ziyech's opener inspired the comeback for the Dutch Eredivisie club in Madrid before efforts from David Neres, Dusan Tadic and Lasse Schone secured their passage to the last eight.

Onana was in goal for Ajax for the entire 90 minutes and he has described the triumph over the 13-time Champions League winners as an 'unthinkable' result.

"A special Ajax night to remember in Madrid. We dreamt of this result & achieved the unthinkable. Quarterfinals here we come," Onana tweeted.

The result ended Real Madrid's dominance in the European stage having won four Champions League trophies in the last five seasons while Ajax advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time in 16 years.
Underdog AFC Ajax defeats defending champions Real Madrid 4–1, and advances to quarter-finals on aggregate 5–3, marking the end of Real Madrid's European dominance.