A. Younes has scored a goal for Ajax! Assist by H. Ziyech.
Ziyech's tidy throughball sees him provide the assist.
THAT SETTLES IT! Ajax are through to the Europa League semi-final as Younes finishes off a brilliant passage of play in attack with an exquisite finish in at the near post!
119'
Fahrmann up as Schalke win a corner. Incredible drama in the dying minutes, as Huntelaar meets the cross with his head, sending a good effort towards goal, but he's penalised for a shove in the back of Ziyech. Onana had made the save anyways.
118'
Anywhere will do for Ajax! Brilliantly poised entering the final minutes now as Schalke pour bodies forward in search of the goal they need, while Ajax are taking no chances as they boot the ball to safety at every chance they get.
116'
THAT WOULD HAVE SEALED IT! Ajax carve Schalke open on the break and Younes does well to get into the area, cutting in on his right for a shot, but Fahrmann denies him from point-blank range! Moments later they're at it again, with Viergever finding himself in again, but his scuffs his effort!
114'
Against all odds, Ajax are going through to the semi-final as things stand. It looked incredibly unlikely for them following Veltman's sending off, but they have shown some incredible character and fortitude tonight to get back ahead!
112'
D. Avdijaj enters the game and replaces S. Riether.
Schalke's final change sees attacker Donis Avdijaj replace Riether.
111'
N. Viergever has scored a goal for Ajax!
AJAX HAVE THEIR AWAY GOAL! Incredible scenes at the Veltins-Arena! Moments after having a long-range strike marvellously ushered aside by Fahrmann, Viergever finds himself in on goal again, and has a clearance fortunately deflect off him and into the top corner! What a time to score for the defender!
110'
STAT: The last time Schalke overturned a first-leg defeat to progress in European competition was in the 2011-12 Europa League – against Dutch side FC Twente.
108'
Ajax showing greater intensity now as would be expected, but they still have no answer for Fahrmann. The Schalke keeper has been the most outstanding player over the course of the tie, no doubt about it.
Minute
Description
106'
Here we go! Final 15 minutes in Gelsenkirchen and they are underway!
105'
HALF-TIME IN EXTRA-TIME: SCHALKE 3-0 AJAX.
103'
It's Ajax who have it all to do now, and they have it all to do with just 10 men! Fatigue has set in here in a big way for the visitors, but they have to dig deep and find the away goal they so desperately crave to turn this tie on its head.
101'
D. Caligiuri has scored a goal for Schalke 04! Assist by S. Kolašinac.
Kolasinac picks up his second assist of the night.
SCHALKE ON COURSE FOR THE SEMI-FINALS! Remarkable! Kolasinac has been brilliant tonight and he's at it again, sprinting into space on the left before picking out the perfect cross for Caligiuri, who guides a terrific header in at the far post!
100'
GETTING CLOSER! Geis tries his luck from 25 yards and looks to have put Schalke ahead on aggregate, but it's actually the roof of the net that he hits with his strike. It certainly had these Schalke supporters fooled!
99'
WHAT WAS HE THINKING?! An absolutely delightful dink over the top from Huntelaar sends Meyer clean through on goal, but the attacker inexplicably opts to try and cut back, which allows Tete to recover and intervene!
97'
Schalke have a green wall in front of them every time they look to attack. This is unlike Ajax to keep so many bodies behind the ball and defend, but desperate times call for desperate measures, and the circumstances facing them right now would certainly qualify as desperate.
95'
STAT: Ajax have failed to score just once in their last 21 matches across all competitions.
93'
Despite being down a man, Ajax have started this extra-time period brightly, though their spell in attack comes to an abrupt conclusion as Ziyech is penalised for a handball. Also important to remember that Ajax are out of substitutions, while Schalke have one more to make should they wish.
91'
The 10 men of Ajax get us underway in extra-time!
90' +5
H. Ziyech gets yellow.
Ziyech picks up a late booking as the 90 minutes comes to an end. To extra-time we go!
90' +2
The tempo has fizzled out a bit as the two sides begin to mentally prepare themselves for another 30 minutes, and maybe penalties. This late in the season, towards the end of a congested fixture list, fatigue will have a big part to play.
90'
N. Viergever gets yellow.
Viergever slides into a challenge near the touchline, winning the ball, but when you slide in with two feet like that there's always going to be questions. The referee didn't like it, with tempers boiling over in the last 10 minutes, and he produces a yellow for the left-back, who will miss the next match should Ajax progress.
The fourth official raises his board to indicate there will be an additional four minutes added on at the end of the 90, with extra-time looming.
88'
SOMEHOW IT STAYS OUT! Ajax have plenty of bodies queuing up in the centre as Ziyech's free-kick is whipped in. It rattles off a couple of heads and falls straight in the danger area, but somehow no one can get the decisive touch to send it towards goal!
86'
M. Nastasić gets yellow.
Nastasic is booked for impeding the run of Dolberg, meaning he will be suspended for the next match should Schalke progress tonight.
84'
J. Geis enters the game and replaces L. Goretzka.
Schalke suffer a blow of their own as Goretzka, who has been excellent tonight, picks up an injury and cannot carry on. He limbers off the pitch with the help of the training staff, replaced by Johannes Geis.
82'
K. Tete enters the game and replaces B. Traoré.
Bosz quickly responds to the sending off by bringing right-back Kenny Tete on to take the vacant place on the flank, with Traore the one replaced.
80'
J. Veltman gets a second yellow card and is sent off.
AJAX DOWN TO 10 MEN! Veltman picks up his second yellow card of the night, albeit a bit of a soft one, but he gives the referee a decision to make and you can't be doing that on a yellow! It's all going awry for Ajax!
78'
Younes is back on the pitch after a quick bit of treatment on the touchline. It's Schalke who break quickly here, though, with Goretzka surging down the right and driving a cross in at the near post for Huntelaar, but Onana is able to get out and collect just ahead of the striker!
76'
The tempo remains lively, but the end product has been poor of late from both these sides. It's the defence that's clearly winning the battle at the moment. Meanwhile, Younes goes down following a challenge from Huntelaar and Schalke opt to play on with the winger writhing in pain on the ground. Ajax aren't taking too kindly to this.
74'
D. van de Beek enters the game and replaces L. Schöne.
Peter Bosz makes his second change of the night, opting for some fresh legs in midfield, as Donny van de Beek replaces Schone.
73'
This is better from Schalke, enjoying a prolonged spell on the ball. They're trying to feed Huntelaar up top, but the striker isn't having much success escaping the watch of Sanchez and De Ligt.
71'
J. Veltman gets yellow.
Veltman runs through the back of Meyer as he becomes the first Ajax player cautioned on the night. He was not one of the players in danger of a suspension, however.
70'
STAT: Ajax have lost just one of their last 19 matches across all competitions, 2-1 away to Copenhagen in the last round of the Europa League (W15 D3).
68'
S. Kolašinac gets yellow.
Kolasinac picks up Schalke's second booking of the match. The hosts haven't done enough to keep their momentum going following their quick-fire double.
67'
Ajax have responded very well to Schalke's surge, in all fairness. They've spent more time in attack since falling behind and continue to look a threat on the ball. They have themselves another corner here, which Ziyech takes, but it's headed clear. Still, though, the pressure isn't totally relieved.
65'
Listen to this crowd! It's become a very hostile atmosphere here in Gelsenkirchen, as Schalke push on to take the lead on aggregate. This certainly will be a real test for this young Ajax XI, who also have the looming threat of a trip to PSV on Sunday. It's on a knife-edge right now, no doubt about that.
63'
GLANCED WIDE! Howedes squanders a glorious chance to get Schalke's third as he's left unmarked to get on the end of Meyer's free-kick, but guides his header wide of the far post!
61'
K. Dolberg enters the game and replaces J. Kluivert.
Enter Kasper Dolberg. Ajax respond with a positive change, bringing on their leading goalscorer this season for the final 30 minutes, with Kluivert replaced. Dolberg will lead the line now, pushing Traore out to the right.
60'
G. Burgstaller gets yellow.
Burgstaller plows through Veltman on the touchline, right in front of the Schalke bench, who inexplicably argue with the referee as he produces a yellow card. Not sure what the debate was there, that was clear as day.
58'
Ajax surely must be stunned right now. They were in complete control of the tie for the longest time, and now, out of nowhere, it's right back in the balance. They need a good and quick response here. Remember, an away goal for them will force Schalke to score four.
56'
G. Burgstaller has scored a goal for Schalke 04! Assist by S. Kolašinac.
Kolasinac has been knocking on the door, and he picks up a deserved assist here.
SCHALKE COMPLETE THE TURNAROUND! Out of absolutely nothing, the tie is level on aggregate! Kolasinac, who has been bright throughout, picks out a terrific cross for Burgstaller, who hammers home a tidy first-time effort!
54'
K. Huntelaar enters the game and replaces B. Stambouli.
The script is written for former Ajax striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who comes on here for the remainder of the match in place of Stambouli! There's energy in the Veltins-Arena yet again!
53'
L. Goretzka has scored a goal for Schalke 04! Assist by G. Burgstaller.
Burgstaller provides the assist.
RENEWED HOPE FOR SCHALKE! Goretzka leads Schalke forward on the break and finds Burgstaller, who picks out a quick return pass. Goretzka breaks into the area and drives an effort towards the far post that sneaks in off the hands of Onana, who should have done better there.
52'
Good work from Kluivert down the right leads to three successive corners for Ajax as the pressure mounts. Neither of them are able to test Fahrmann, however, as the hosts eventually alleviate the threat.
50'
Schalke struggling to get forward in the early stages of this second half as Ajax do a great job of shutting the door. The visitors orchestrate another chance on the break, with Traore getting a shot off in a dangerous area, but a deflection takes the sting out of it and allows Fahrmann to make the save.
48'
FAHRMANN SAVES THE DAY AGAIN! As he did so many times in the first leg, the Schalke keeper comes to their rescue again to deny Schone's free-kick at full-stretch! The Ajax midfielder has produced some absolute gems from set-pieces over the years, and nearly had another here.
46'
Here they go again! Ajax 45 minutes away from a first European semi-final appearance since 1997...
45'
HALF-TIME: SCHALKE 0-0 AJAX.
43'
DRAGED WIDE! Schalke caught napping as Ajax win a free-kick just inside the attacking half. They take it quickly and Traore is picked out high up the pitch, before laying off for Ziyech, but the midfielder drags a shot wide of the far post!
41'
Important block! Ajax are so threatening on the counter and they take advantage of the space available to them after Schalke's latest attack. Kluivert picks out Klaassen in the centre, who lays it off for Younes, but the winger's shot is seen aside crucially by Riether!
39'
HE HAS TO PASS OFF! Great, surging run from Goretzka to skip by a few defenders. He gets into the final third and has options aplenty, but tries to take on the whole team himself instead! Veltman is able to get across and not only intervene, but win a free-kick to completely snuff out the danger.
37'
This has been a wonderfully professional display from a relatively inexperienced Ajax side. The XI they named in the first leg in Amsterdam averaged just 22 years of age. That number has been brought up slightly with the return of Schone tonight, but for a group of players in their first European quarter-final, they certainly aren't playing as such.
35'
VITAL TACKLE! Panic ensues at the back for Schalke as Ajax probe the defence with a calm, measured move in attack. They carve out a couple of openings, with Schone on the end of it, but Stambouli slides in and gets just enough of a touch to take it away from the midfielder, denying him a clear strike at goal from 10 yards!
33'
This first half is not going at all how Schalke would have hoped. Their early surge didn't last nearly long enough, and they have absolutely nothing to show for it as Ajax have taken charge. Nervy moments for the hosts who simply cannot afford to concede tonight.
31'
OFFSIDE! Quick, decisive and clinical from Ajax on the break as they win the ball and immediately break forward, with Younes playing Traore through. The striker finishes coolly, but the offside flag is raised! That surely would have ended the tie.
29'
STAT: Amin Younes has completed 59 dribbles in the Europa League this season, more than double that of the second closest player (Paul Pogba, 27).
27'
Ajax remain very much in the ascendency, looking the more dangerous side going forward. They effectively utilise that left flank once again to win themselves a corner, which eventually falls to Sanchez, but a foul on Viergever in the area brings the chance to an abrupt end.
25'
GOOD EFFORT! A corner is not dealt with by the Schalke defence, falling for an unmarked Viergever at the far post. It looked like the defender had time to bring it down and shoot, but instead opts to go for the spectacular, and his overhead kick is stopped by Fahrmann.
23'
Younes is starting to come to life for the visitors, who will surely be thrilled with how this match is progressing, especially given how it started. The winger does well to open up space for himself on the left before winning a corner. Pressure stays on after the subsequent delivery, and now Ziyech wins a second for Ajax in quick succession.
21'
The tempo has come out of the match a bit as Ajax up the intensity in midfield, doing an admirable job of closing their gaps. Younes does well to dispossess his opponent near the halfway line and tries to spring Traore, but an important intervention from Howedes prevents him from going through.
19'
Ajax have plenty of bodies back in defence now as they look much more convincing in seeing aside the Schalke threat. Their attacking presence has been limited, but the longer this stays scoreless, the visitors will almost assuredly have more chances on the break.
17'
STAT: Schalke have won just three of their last 14 matches across all competitions (D6 L5).
15'
Schalke's best passages continue to come down that left-hand side, with Kolasinac so keen to bomb forward and join the attack. In doing so, however, he is leaving a lot of space in behind him, though Ajax have yet to be able to exploit it on the break.
13'
It looks as though Ajax have weathered the early storm that was expected from Schalke. They're doing a nice job of responding with some pressure of their own, with Ziyech now winning a free-kick in an advanced position. He takes it as well, and gets great power behind the effort, but it's too close to Fahrmann who makes the save.
11'
First real spell of possession for Ajax in the attacking half, but Amin Younes, who was a terror in the first leg, can't create much on the left as he's swarmed by blue shirts. An away goal for Ajax would really leave Schalke reeling.
9'
Schalke enjoying plenty of possession in these opening stages, but Ajax are going a better job now of organising themselves to defend the threat. They were far too open in the first few minutes for a side defending a two-goal lead. Kolasinac is finding plenty of space on the left, though, as Justin Kluivert is struggling to help track him.
7'
STAT: Schalke have won all three of their previous home meetings with Dutch opposition, netting 10 goals and conceding just one in the process. All their victories were by three-goal margins or greater.
5'
Ajax have started a bit too relaxed here. They have a healthy aggregate lead, but there's still a lot of work to be done over the next 90 minutes, maybe more, if they are going to see this through. Schalke certainly have belief in their side, too.
3'
OFF THE POST! Schalke pouring on the pressure in the early stages, looking for a reason to believe. Meyer finds himself in a bit of space before cutting in on his right, but bends an effort off the woodwork!
1'
AND THEY'RE OFF! Schalke in blue as they get the match underway, attacking left to right, with Ajax in their light-green away strip.
Bright start from the hosts! Schalke highlighted the importance of an early goal tonight in the build-up to the match, and they nearly have one as Goretzka gets on the end of a sharp cross from Kolasinac, but his first-time effort bounces wide of the near post!
Hello and welcome to live coverage of the second leg of this Europa League quarter-final tie as Schalke have it all to do when they host Ajax!
A brace from skipper Davy Klaassen helped Ajax to a comfortable and altogether dominant victory in the first leg in Amsterdam, with Schalke keeper Ralf Fahrmann’s heroics enough to limit severe damage, providing the Bundesliga outfit with a fighting chance to still progress.
Schalke have been a very difficult side to beat this season on their home patch, losing just once at the Veltins-Arena in 2017, but they have also struggled to turn draws into wins, finding themselves in the midst of their worst spell of form this season.
Markus Weinzierl’s side need to muster a near-perfect response to last week’s drubbing if they are to turn this tie around. They have yet to lose at home in the Europa League this season, but may have left themselves too big a deficit to overturn against an Ajax side firing on all cylinders.
Ajax celebrated their first quarter-final appearance in UEFA competition since 2003 with an inspired effort in Amsterdam last week, and they have picked the perfect time to be playing their best football of the season under Peter Bosz.
Appointed this past summer, Bosz endured a rough patch or two, but it’s safe to say that’s behind them. Ajax have won five straight across all competitions in remarkable fashion, they’ve narrowed the gap atop the Eredivisie to just a single point, and are on the brink of their first European semi-final since 1997.
SUBS: Tete, Neres, Westermann, De Jong, Dolberg, Van de Beek, Boer.
Markus Weinzierl makes three changes to his side from the first-leg defeat. Right-back Sascha Riether comes in to replace the suspended Thilo Kehrer, while Sead Kolasinac returns at left-back as Dennis Aogo drops to the bench. Benjamin Stambouli is brought in to partner Nabil Bentaleb in midfield, at the expense of Alessandro Schopf. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar will have to hope for another appearance off the bench against his former club.
Daley Sinkgraven misses out with an injury, paving the way for Matthijs de Ligt to come into the side, with Nick Viergever pushing out to left-back. Lasse Schone returns from suspension and is immediately restored in the side, at the expense of Donny van de Beek. Kasper Dolberg returned from a nearly one-month absence at the weekend, but Peter Bosz uses the same attacking trident from the first leg as the Dane starts on the bench.
Schalke’s Matija Nastasic, Benjamin Stambouli, Johannes Geis and Leon Goretzka are just a booking away from a UEFA competition suspension, while Davy Klaassen, Davinson Sanchez, Nick Viergever, Andre Onana and Kenny Tete are the ones at risk for Ajax.
Advantage Ajax through 45 minutes in Gelsenkirchen as they preserve their 2-0 aggregate lead from the first leg with an accomplished display away from home. Schalke came firing out of the gates, with Max Meyer coming closest as he struck the woodwork. Their early momentum didn't last long, however, as it has been a very even half since then, with possession 51-49 in favour of the hosts, who have five shots (one on target), compared to Ajax's four (two on target).
Through 90 minutes in Gelsenkirchen and that's not enough to settle it. Goals from Leon Goretzka and Guido Burgstaller helped Schalke complete an improbable second-half turnaround, as extra-time is needed at the Veltins-Arena. Ajax are down to 10 men as well, remember, with Joel Veltman shown red in the 80th minute.
Schalke just 15 minutes away from the semi-finals as Daniel Caligiuri's goal has put them ahead on aggregate. Ajax, with 10 men, need to find their attacking punch yet again, but it will be far from easy with these tired legs creeping in.
An unbelievable finish to an incredibly dramatic match in Gelsenkirchen. Schalke got the two goals they needed in the 90 to overturn a first-leg deficit and send the game to extra-time against the 10 men of Ajax, with Joel Veltman off. Daniel Caligiuri looked to have settled it in the first half of extra-time with his header to take it to 3-0, but goals from Nick Viergever and Amin Younes in the final 10 minutes see 10-man Ajax complete the improbable turnaround and book their place in a first European semi-final since 1997.
That's all for our live coverage, thanks for following along. Goodbye!
Commentary
More…