Napoli qualifies for Champions League round of 16 with fourth straight win

Napoli have secured a ticket to the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League with a dominant performance against Ajax Amsterdam.

The Serie A leaders with a 4-2 win at home. Georgian winger, Kvicha Kvaratskhelia turned on the style, and Victor Osimhen scored on his comeback.

The Partenopei came to this game on the back of a 6-1 win in Amsterdam and a 4-1 win in the Serie A last weekend. All they needed was a point to guarantee their passage into the next round.

Napoli only needed four minutes to break the deadlock with a sensational team goal. Piotr Zielinski combined with Chucky Lozano with a delicate ball chipped over the defence to find the Mexico international for a looping header.

In search of an equaliser, Alex Meret palmed away a Steven Bergwijn effort and Steven Berghuis curling inches wide, wide.

While trying to double their lead,   Kvicha Kvaratskhelia skinned three players in a row before Lozano volleyed over.

The second goal eventually came for Napoli a moment later, with Kvaratskhelia hugely involved. He combined with Zielinski down the left to set up Giacomo Raspadori, who blasted into the roof of the net after an initial touch from 12 yards.

Ajax later reduced the deficit after the restart. Bassey’s cross from the left found a Davy Klaassen header into the near top corner.

Osimhen returned to action for Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, who limped off injured.

 After Tanguy Ndombele’s shot went wide, a penalty was awarded to the most after VAR consultation. Jurrien Timber charged down Ndombele’s volley with a trailing hand, and the referee had no choice but to point to the spot. Kvaratskhelia made no mistake by converting the kick with ferocity into the top corner.

Napoli would have scored again, but a one-handed save on Lozano’s angled drive, and Osimhen had the ball in the net only after wandering offside.

Ajax then scored the second from a penalty spot. Bergwijn converted to give the Dutch side a consolation.

After missing a sitter from six yards, Osimhen, who was visibly desperate to get a goal after so much time on the treatment table, harassed Daley Blind into an error and fired into the empty net.

Written by: Oladipupo Mojeed