Vazquez and Vinicius injured in horror Madrid first half

Real Madrid were hit by a pair of first-half injuries in their Champions League last-16 second leg against Ajax at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Madrid trailed 2-0 at the break after early goals from Hakim Ziyech and David Neres put the visitors in control of the tie, 3-2 up on aggregate with 45 minutes to play.

And the reigning European champions were forced into a pair of changes before the break, with Lucas Vazquez and Vinicius Junior hobbling out of the match in quick succession.

Gareth Bale replaced Vazquez – who could be seen nursing his thigh on the bench – and was again jeered by the Bernabeu crowd, having been whistled off in Saturday’s Clasico defeat to Barcelona.

Marco Asensio came on for teenage winger Vinicius as Madrid – already without suspended captain Sergio Ramos – looked to rescue the tie.