Chelsea loan star Bertrand Traore scores double as Ajax beat Lyon in first leg

Chelsea loanee Bertrand Traore scored twice as Ajax swept to a comfortable 4-1 first-leg victory against Lyon in the Europa League semi-final.

The home side produced a performance of energy, agility and invention to overwhelm their French visitors, who still caused them enough problems such that the second leg is not quite a formality.

Strangely, Ajax looked overawed through the opening passage, but then on 25 minutes, the superb Hakim Ziyech whipped in a perfect free-kick, and Traore flicked a header into the far corner.

Nine minutes later Ajax had another, Traore winning a header after a botched goalkick to send Kasper Dolberg through. He composed himself and beat Anthony Lopes with an expert's finish.

Ajax's running in and through midfield was just too much for Lyon, whose defending was almost unbearably miserable. And sure enough, Peter Bosz's men scored again just after half-time, Amin Younes, who should've had several more, beating Lopes with the aid of a deflection.

To Lyon's credit, Mathieu Valbuena's excellent finish dragged them back into the tie on 66 minutes, but just five minutes later, Traore finished yet another fine move to put the lead back at three, where it stayed - just.

Of course, the likelihood is that Ajax will reach the final, but they will still be wary of what might happen in France. Alexandre Lacazette will be fit enough to start, and Andre Onana, their goalkeeper, had a very good night because he needed to. Or, put another way, this was a terrific game of football; do not, under any circumstances, miss the return.

What do Lyon do in training? Some defenders are better than others, and there are many great ones anywhere in world football. But that is no excuse for the lack of composure and organisation that Lyon displayed tonight, not for the first time. The players have plenty to answer for, but likewise, so does the coach.

Bertrand Traore (Ajax) Though he had several rivals, most particularly Hakim Zoyech and Andre Onana, Traore was a constant threat and scored the crucial first goal, then added the fourth when another for Lyon would've somehow left them in a strong position in the tie.

Ajax: Onana 8, Tete 7, De Ligt 6, Sanchez 7, Riedewald 6, Ziyech 8, Schone 5, Klaassen 7, Traore 9, Dolberg 7, Younes 7. Subs: Van der Beek 6, Kluivert 6, Neres 6.

Lyon: Lopes 7, Jallet 5, Nkoulou 4, Diakhaby 5, Morel 5, Gonalons 6, Tousalt 5,Cornet 5, Tolisso 5, Vlabuena 6, Fekir. Subs: Ghezzal 7, Rafael 6, Lacazette 6.

9 - Lovely from Lyon, Jallet and Torsart turning Ajax's left flank with a one two; Torsart hits the line, cuts back, and Onana does very well to block Cornet's shot behind with an outstretched foot. They're hitting their stride.

25’ - GOAL! Ajax 1-0 Lyon (Traore) Brilliant free-kick from Ziyech, swerved in flat and hard; Traore reaches it first, flicking a header the shoot off with the flight of the ball and inside the side-netting.

34’ - GOAL! Ajax 2-0 Lyon (Dolberg) Wow! Ajax hassle Diakhaby, who's trying to play out, so he goes back to the keeper, who botches his kick. Traore is up hard and first to win the header, it puts Dolberg through, and he allows the ball to bounce before flicking it hard with his instep, across Lopes and into the far corner. That was exceedingly competent; Lyon are in a situation.

44’ - SO NEARLY 3-0! Lyon just cannot defend! Younes comes in off the left, finds Klaassen, and then intercepts a pass seeking Dolberg ... he's in! But with the far corner open, he gets wide, looking for the near, and his shot it's close enough to Lopes for him to save.

49’ - GOAL! Ajax 3-0 Lyon (Younes) Lyon are in all sorts! Gonalons stumbles outside his box, Ziyech catches him and slides a pass into Younes, edge of the box, left-hand side. He ought to take it first time, but steps inside his man and looks to curl into the far corner, giving Nkoulou a chance to block. He does, but the ball rears up off his thigh and creeps over the line - the ref gives the goal after consulting with his earpiece.

66’ - GOAL! Ajax 3-1 Lyon (Valbuena) What a passage of play this is! First, Younes, who's really enjoying himself, spins on halfway and prances clear, but nothing comes of the situation. Then, Cornet finds space down the left, looks up, and has Fekir unmarked in the box .. he pulls back, and Tete makes a brilliant interception. But Lyon keep up the pressure, Tolisso crossing from the right, and when the ball is cleared to Valbuena, he takes a touch - he's outside the box, right of centre - and then curls a sumptuous finish high inside the near post! This is warming up nicely!

71’ - GOAL! Ajax 4-1 Lyon (Traore) What a lovely goal this is! Ajax knock it about around the edge of the Lyon box, Dolberg keeping the move going with a lovely flick into Klaassen. He spreads the ball left for the excellent Ziyech, whose cross is low and hard; Traore gambles, reaches the ball first, and pokes hard and high past Lopes.

74’ - My word what a game this is! First, Dolberg backheels for Younes and Lopes saves; then Onana saves from Ghezzal and Rafael in quick succession; then Ajax sweep downfield at ridiculous pace; Younes plays a superb ball into Ziyech, who nips around the keeper but decides he's gone too wide to shoot so turns slides a ball back into the middle, only to find Dolberg is on the goalline.

Ajax hit 16 shots on target, the most ever recorded in a Europa League game.

Lyon are the first French club to lose a UEFA Cup/Europa League semi-final by three goals.