English clubs on the march again in the Champions League

AJAX'S REGRESSION

Ajax came within a last-gasp Tottenham goal of reaching the final last season. It won't even be playing in the knockout stage this time around.

The Dutch club lost 1-0 at home to Valencia to drop from first place to third in Group H and fall into the Europa League.

Rodrigo scored the 24th-minute winner for Valencia, which is through to the last 16 for the first time since 2012-13.

Tammy Abraham, with a deft backheeled flick, and Cesar Azpilicueta scored Chelsea's first-half goals against already-eliminated Lille, which pulled one back late on through Loic Remy — a former Chelsea player.