Football: Ajax continue their winning streak

Real Madrid will meet Juventus in the most alluring of the European Cup quarter-finals, with Ajax continuing the defence of their title against Borussia Dortmund after completing their group matches with another convincing victory last night.

Ajax coasted to a 4-0 victory over a Ferencvaros side that was weakened by injuries. The newly crowned world club champions tore into the Hungarians with two goals in each half to extend their unbeaten run in the Cup to 17 games.

Ajax, playing in black tracksuit bottoms and gloves on a freezing night, went ahead in the 17th minute when Ronald de Boer lobbed over the defence for Marc Overmars to score, and five minutes later De Boer made it 2-0. Ajax had to wait until the 61st minute before adding a third when Jari Litmanen headed home Finidi George's cross. Litmanen then knocked in a rebound to make it 4-0.

Second-half goals by Raul Gonzalez, who capitalised on a rebound off the home goalkeeper, and Michel Gonzalez carried Real Madrid to a 2-0 win away to Grasshopper Zurich.

Juventus, already certain of going through, concentrated on defence in earning a 0-0 draw away to Steaua Bucharest, who had Ion Vladoiu sent off.

EUROPEAN CUP Quarter-finals: Legia Warsaw (Pol) v Panathinaikos (Gr); Nantes (Fr) v Spartak Moscow (Rus); Real Madrid (Sp) v Juventus (It); Borussia Dortmund (Ger) v Ajax Amsterdam (Neth).

First leg: 6 March; second leg: 20 March.