THE HAGUE, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Bayern Munich finished Champions League Group E as leader after a hard-fought and eventful 3-3 draw at Ajax in Amsterdam on Wednesday.
Both teams were already through to the next round, so only the first place in the group was at stake in the Johan Cruijff Arena. Ajax needed a win and Bayern could settle for a draw, already two points ahead.
The visitors got an early chance for Serge Gnabry, after a mistake by left back Nicolas Tagliafico, but Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana saved. In the 13th minute Gnabry made up for his miss and assisted the goal by Robert Lewandowski.
Ajax reacted with some patient attacks, a header by Donny van de Beek and a shot by Hakim Ziyech, but Bayern was more dangerous through Lewandowski again, who found Onana on his way this time.
The home team dominated the first part of the second half and equalized in the 61st minute. A one-touch attack through Daley Blind, Frenkie de Jong, Hakim Ziyech and Van de Beek ended with the tip-in by Dusan Tadic.
Lewandowski once again had the opportunity to put Bayern in front again, but Onana prevented a goal with an athletic save. When Maximilian Wober received a red card for a tackle on Leon Goretzka, Ajax had to continue with ten in the 67th minute, but eight minutes later Thomas Muller also got a red card for a kick on the head of Tagliafico.
And so both teams went into the final quarter with ten men and Ajax smelled a surprise. Substitute Kasper Dolberg went into the penalty area and was brought down by Jerome Boateng and referee Clement Turpin awarded Ajax a penalty. Tadic put Ajax in front from the penalty spot.
It was not enough to seal the victory and the first place in the group for Ajax. Bayern also got a penalty after Tagliafico downed Thiago Alcantara. Lewandowski converted the penalty. After Frenkie de Jong lost the ball, Bayern even came in front again. Substitute Kingsley Coman scored. However, no winning goal for Bayern.
In injury-time, Ajax came back for the last time when Tagliafico tipped in a cross by substitute Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. It was enough for a point for the home team, but not enough for the first place in the group. Bayern finished on 14 points, Ajax on 12.
