FCB win group after Amsterdam thriller

FC Bayern were held to a 3-3 draw by Ajax on Wednesday, but the result means Niko Kovac's men have hit their target of finishing first in Champions League Group E. Robert Lewandowski handed the Bavarians the lead early in the match, Dusan Tadic levelling the scores after the hour mark. Both sides were reduced to ten men midway through the second half, Tadic scoring from the penalty spot with ten minutes to go. Lewandowski too proved a cool customer from 12 yards and sub Kingsley Coman put Bayern ahead again, but Niklas Süle put through his own goal under heavy pressure from Ajax with the final whistle imminent.

The German record champions started with Manuel Neuer in goal and Rafinha, Süle, Jérôme Boateng and David Alaba in a back four. Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka featured in a twin holding role behind Serge Gnabry, Thomas Müller and Franck Ribéry, with Lewandowski as sole striker. Thiago, Coman and Renato Sanches took over from Gnabry, Ribéry and Goretzka in the second half.

Scorching first half

The 54,990 crowd at the Johan Cruyff Arena saw a wonderfully entertaining, up-tempo contest between two attack-minded sides. An early Gnabry shot gave notice of Bayern's intent, but the winger fired wide. Netminder Andre Onana saved another effort from the particularly industrious Gnabry before Tasic headed over the bar at the other end. Gnabry saw another effort saved, but his brilliantly perceptive pass soon found Lewandowski unmarked, the striker firing home.

Hakim Ziyech tested Neuer from 20 yards as Ajax enjoyed a spell in command. Onana made a fine save to deny Lewandowski, Kimmich firing the rebound over the bar. Neuer saved another Ziyech effort at the end of a first half in which Bayern's opponents enjoyed more of the ball, but the German record champions were permanently dangerous on the break and deservedly in front after the first 45 minutes.

Two red cards, five goals

Bayern enjoyed more possession after the restart and let the ball do the work, but Ajax went back onto the front foot around the hour mark. David Neres blasted over the bar before Neuer denied a Ziyech effort, but a Donny van de Beek cross soon found Tadic at the back stick, the forward tapping in from point-blank range. Onana made an outstanding save to deny Lewandowski before Ajax' Maximilian Wöber earned his marching orders for a brutal tackle on Goretzka. But the Bavarians were soon decimated too, Müller seeing a red card for a high boot against Nicolas Tagliafico.

Boateng then upended Kasper Dolberg in the box, Tadic converting the ensuing penalty, but Bayern levelled the scores when Thiago was taken down at the other end, Lewandowski too netting from the spot. Coman unleashed a fine curler to put Bayern ahead, but Niklas Süle put through his own goal under heavy pressure from Tagliafico.

The result takes the men from Munich onto 14 points from six matches, enough for first place in Group E. The Bavarians will be back in action in just three days, when they travel to face Hannover 96, before entertaining RB Leipzig next Wednesday. They will learn the identity of their Champions League last sixteen opponents on Monday.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen