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Ajax, AEK in control of Champions League play-off ties

Ajax and AEK Athens are on the brink of qualifying for the Champions League group stages after the first legs of their play-off ties.

The Dutch side beat Dynamo Kiev 3-1 at home, while AEK triumphed 2-1 at Videoton in a game that saw both sides reduced to 10 men.

Donny van de Beek gave Ajax the lead after just 74 seconds at the Johan Cruyff Arena, his tame shot somehow squirming through the grasp of goalkeeper Denys Boyko.

Dynamo levelled when Tomasz Kedziora slammed in the rebound after a Tamas Kadar header was parried by Andre Onana, but Ajax established a two-goal lead before the break.