Red Bull Salzburg have taken a big step towards the next round of the Europa League with a 3-0 away win at Ajax.
Jonathan Soriano scored twice in the opening 35 minutes for the visitors, including a strike from the halfway line to put Salzburg in command ahead of the second leg.
Ajax got off to a poor start and were behind within 14 minutes. Joel Veltman brought down Alan inside the area, picking up a yellow card and allowing Soriano to put the away side ahead from the penalty spot.
Salzburg doubled their lead shortly after when Saido Mane ran clear and rounded the goalkeeper before slotting the ball home.
The moment of the match then arrived on 35 minutes, as Soriano spotted Jasper Cillessen off his line and chipped the ball in from the halfway line to give his side a huge advantage.
Viktor Fischer and debutant Ricardo Kishna tried in vain to get their side back into the game, and it might have been even worse for Ajax with Kevin Kampl twice shooting wide after surging into the box.
The visitors were comfortable in the end and will be more than pleased with their performance ahead of next week's home leg.
Daniel Cross
