The youngest-ever captain in a Champions League knockout game rose into the heavens like Cristiano Ronaldo and came back down with a fairytale semi-final berth for Ajax in Turin.

Matthijs De Ligt, who turns 20 in August, scored a thunderous header in the second half to deservedly secure safe passage for his side in a 2-1 victory against an underwhelming Juventus.

Ronaldo had opened the scoring with a header of his own after a unfortunate coming together between De Ligt and Frenkie De Jong from a corner, but Donny van de Beek soon levelled with a smart finish.

Juve well and truly lost their way in the second half as Ajax spurned a hatful of chances, but De Ligt had the final say.

DARING DONNY

Acres of internet space have been dedicated to the rising fame of Dutch starlets De Ligt and De Jong, with Donny van de Beek the footnote.

Not any more – not after this performance. While De Ligt delivered a headbutt to Juventus’ Champions League dreams for another year, and a half-fit De Jong imposed his will in midfield, Van de Beek drew most of the eyeballs.

Though usually a No6, Erik ten Hag has pushed the 21-year-old up-field in the Champions League knockouts thus far and Juventus couldn’t cope up with his hyperspeed decision-making.

Indeed so high did Van de Beek play he was the furthest forward at times, finding pockets of space behind Daniele Rugani and Leonardo Bonucci, with the central pairing drawn into Hakim Ziyech and David Neres’ bursts on the wings.

Van de Beek took down Ziyech’s errant shot expertly – and remained onside – to slot past Wojciech Szczesny.

Neres, Ziyech and Dusan Tadic were also superb, but if they had shown half the composure of Van de Beek in the final third, Juve would have been utterly humiliated.

JUVE GOT PROBLEMS

The year 1996 should be a joyous one in Juventus’ history, but time has tinged it with bitterness. It’s been that long since the Old Lady lifted the Champions League trophy – the irony that it came against Ajax should not be lost – and not even Ronaldo could take them all the way during another futile campaign.

This one could mark the end of Max Allegri, despite building a fine reputation in Turin. Ultimately, Juve looked bereft of ideas and their tactics were puzzling to say the least.

The Bianconeri committed to attacking from out wide despite the absence of Douglas Costa and Joao Cancelo, and a sluggish Mattia De Sciglio at right-back.

Federico Bernardeschi had one of the poorest games he’ll ever have in a central midfield that were so ponderous up against a vibrant Ajax.

Where they’ve added Ronaldo they’ve also lost Paulo Dybala, the nominal striker who was only nominally on the pitch. Wonderkid Moise Kean added some impetus in the second half but it was all disjointed behind him.

Where to next for Juve?

REFRESH BUTTON

With the clamour from fat cat clubs for a European Super League building by the week, it is always a refreshing sight to see relatively impoverished sides punching above their weight.

Except Ajax aren’t defying the odds. At least not in terms of their playing personnel. De Ligt is every inch the peer of any defender left in the competition,

De Jong is as metronomic as a (soon-to-be) Barca midfielder at his best, while Tadic, Van de Beek, Neres and Ziyech are options any top side would crave.

Thanks to savvy spending and a once-in-a-generation academy output, Ajax should be seen as the equals of any club in Europe.

It’s a shame that the inevitable break-up will start this summer, with De Jong’s departure to Barca only the start of an inevitable exodus.

As it is though, Manchester City or Tottenham would be foolish to think that a semi-final against Ajax is an easier prospect than facing Barca or Liverpool.

Ajax fans, and neutrals the world over, should dare to dream like it’s 1995 again.