Onana goes from villain to hero as Ajax hold Benfica

Soccer Football - Champions League - Group Stage - Group E - Benfica v Ajax Amsterdam - Estadio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal - November 7, 2018 Ajax's Andre Onana during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Pedro Nunes

LISBON (Reuters) - Ajax Amsterdam goalkeeper Andre Onana went from villain to hero as the Dutch side drew 1-1 at Benfica on Wednesday, gifting the hosts the lead before making a brilliant save with the last kick of the game to rescue a point.

Jonas put Benfica ahead after a double mistake by the 22-year-old Cameroon keeper but Dusan Tadic levelled for the visitors in the second half of the Group E game.

The draw left Ajax on the brink of reaching the round of 16 for the first time since the 2005/06 season. The Dutch side are second with eight points from four games, four ahead of third-placed Benfica, and also have the better head-to-head record.

Soccer Football - Champions League - Group Stage - Group E - Benfica v Ajax Amsterdam - Estadio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal - November 7, 2018 Benfica's Rafa Silva looks dejected after the match REUTERS/Pedro Nunes

There was an early scare when Ajax defender Matthijs de Light clattered into Jonas and it appeared that the Benfica forward might have suffered a head injury, but he was allowed to continue playing.

Under huge pressure after losing their last three games in all competitions, Benfica were gifted the lead in the 29th minute.

Onana dallied as he controlled a pass back, nearly got caught as he tried to turn past an opponent on his goal line and was forced to toe-poke the ball into touch.

Soccer Football - Champions League - Group Stage - Group E - Benfica v Ajax Amsterdam - Estadio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal - November 7, 2018 Benfica's Ljubomir Fejsa and Ruben Dias in action with Ajax's Kasper Dolberg REUTERS/Pedro Nunes

From the resulting throw-in, Onana came out and completely missed the ball which fell to Jonas who chested it down and found a gap between two defenders on the goal line.

After nearly equalising from a ferocious Lasse Schone free kick in first-half stoppage time, Ajax finally levelled in the 61st minute.

Hakim Ziyech looped a tantalising ball over the Benfica defence and Tadic managed to squeeze between two defenders to get there first and poke the ball over the line.

Soccer Football - Champions League - Group Stage - Group E - Benfica v Ajax Amsterdam - Estadio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal - November 7, 2018 Benfica's Gedson Fernandes in action with Ajax's Donny van de Beek and David Neres REUTERS/Pedro Nunes

Onana came to the rescue in stoppage time, blocking a shot from Rafa Silva and then, from the corner, making a point-blank save with his leg from Gabriel when the midfielder seemed certain to score.

Soccer Football - Champions League - Group Stage - Group E - Benfica v Ajax Amsterdam - Estadio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal - November 7, 2018 Benfica's Andre Almeida, Ljubomir Fejsa, Jardel and Jonas in action with Ajax's Dusan Tadic REUTERS/Rafael Marchante

(Writing by Brian Homewood; Editing by Toby Davis)

Soccer Football - Champions League - Group Stage - Group E - Benfica v Ajax Amsterdam - Estadio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal - November 7, 2018 Ajax's Frenkie de Jong reacts after missing a chance to score REUTERS/Pedro Nunes

Soccer Football - Champions League - Group Stage - Group E - Benfica v Ajax Amsterdam - Estadio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal - November 7, 2018 Ajax's Dusan Tadic scores their first goal REUTERS/Pedro Nunes

Soccer Football - Champions League - Group Stage - Group E - Benfica v Ajax Amsterdam - Estadio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal - November 7, 2018 Ajax's Dusan Tadic in action with Benfica's Jardel REUTERS/Pedro Nunes

Soccer Football - Champions League - Group Stage - Group E - Benfica v Ajax Amsterdam - Estadio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal - November 7, 2018 Ajax's Nicolas Tagliafico in action with Benfica's Rafa Silva REUTERS/Pedro Nunes

Soccer Football - Champions League - Group Stage - Group E - Benfica v Ajax Amsterdam - Estadio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal - November 7, 2018 Benfica's Eduardo Salvio in action with Ajax's Nicolas Tagliafico REUTERS/Pedro Nunes

Soccer Football - Champions League - Group Stage - Group E - Benfica v Ajax Amsterdam - Estadio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal - November 7, 2018 Ajax's Dusan Tadic appeals to referee Gianluca Rocchi REUTERS/Rafael Marchante

Soccer Football - Champions League - Group Stage - Group E - Benfica v Ajax Amsterdam - Estadio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal - November 7, 2018 Benfica's Eduardo Salvio in action with Ajax's Lasse Schone REUTERS/Pedro Nunes

Soccer Football - Champions League - Group Stage - Group E - Benfica v Ajax Amsterdam - Estadio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal - November 7, 2018 Benfica's Andre Almeida in action with Ajax's David Neres REUTERS/Rafael Marchante