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Benfica, Dortmund and Ajax reach round of 16

Benfica needed penalties to see off Midtjylland while Borussia Dortmund edged to victory at Maccabi Haifa and a stunning Carel Eiting strike helped Ajax past Juventus.

Dortmund celebrate Julian Schwermann's explosive strike against Maccabi Haifa
Dortmund celebrate Julian Schwermann's explosive strike against Maccabi Haifa ©Maccabi Haifa FC
  • Benfica defeat Midtjylland on sudden death spot kicks after a 1-1 draw in Denmark
  • Julian Schwermann's powerful strike earns Dortmund victory against Maccabi Haifa
  • Ajax beat Juventus with Carel Eiting scoring a first-half stunner
  • Remaining play-off ties take place on Wednesday; knockout draw 13:00CET on Friday

Ajax 2-0 Juventus(Eiting 44, Sierhuis 48)
The Dutch side eased to victory against their Italian rivals, moving ahead thanks to a thunderbolt from Carel Eiting just before the break; the Ajax captain smashed a stunning 25-metre drive into the top corner past goalkeeper Emil Audero. Kaj Sierhuis clinched the win with a neat finish early in the second period.

Maccabi Haifa 0-1 Borussia Dortmund (Schwermann 60)
Julian Schwermann settled the tie in Dortmund's favour with a thumping half-volley. Having timed his run to the corner of the penalty area to perfection, the right-back connected sweetly with Dominik Wanner's left-wing cross, sending an unstoppable shot into the top left-hand corner of Royie Fucs's net.  

Midtjylland 1-1 Benfica, 5-6pens(Torp 84; Diogo Gonçalves 42)
Diogo Gonçalves converted the decisive spot kick as Benfica squeezed through. With snow whirling around Arena Herning, Gonçalves calmly dispatched his penalty after Benfica's Fábio Duarte had thwarted Rasmus Nicolaisen – his second save of the shoot-out.

Victor Torp had equalised for Midtjylland with a dipping free-kick, cancelling out Gonçalves's tenth UEFA Youth League goal. It was a belated birthday present for the Benfica forward, who turned 20 on Monday.