Ajax 2 Schalke 0: Classy Klaassen to the fore but Fahrmann keeps visitors alive

Ajax took a significant step towards the Europa League semi-finals with a dominant 2-0 win over Schalke in Amsterdam on Thursday.

Davy Klaassen's double earned Ajax a richly-deserved 2-0 victory over Schalke, who were thankful to goalkeeper Ralf Fahrmann for keeping them in the Europa League quarter-final tie.

Ajax have not reached a major European semi-final since 1996-97 Champions League, but Thursday's impressive first-leg performance at the Amsterdam ArenA put Peter Bosz's side on track to be included in the last-four draw.

The only concern for Bosz from this result will be that his side failed to come away with a more comprehensive lead, Fahrmann in inspired form throughout to continually deny the likes of Bertrand Traore and Amin Younes.

Fahrmann could do little about Klaassen's brace, however - the first a thunderous penalty following Alessandro Schopf's foul on Younes in the opening period.

If Klaassen's opener was a triumph for brute force, his second - a superbly taken half-volley soon after the interval - was testament to the captain's finesse.

The pick of Fahrmann's remarkable highlight reel arrived 13 minutes from time with a fingertip stop onto the crossbar from Donny van de Beek - a save that could prove crucial come next week's return in Gelsenkirchen.