10 craziest moments from Chelsea's delirious draw with Ajax

The football world can now catch its collective breath.

Chelsea and Ajax treated viewers and supporters to a frenzied affair on Tuesday at Stamford Bridge. There were stunning goals, two swift sending offs, and a pair of penalties in a hysterical 4-4 draw that now enters the annals of the continental competition.

Here's a look at the 10 craziest moments, in chronological order, from an eventful evening in the English capital.

2': Early own goal sets the tone

Tammy Abraham has been in spectacular form for Chelsea this season; the young Englishman is joint-second in Premier League scoring with nine tallies on the campaign thus far.

So when he, of all people, sliced Quincy Promes' free-kick into his own net in just the second minute of play, it was the perfect indication that we were in for an interesting evening in west London. Heck of a finish, in fairness.

4': Jorginho hits right back from the spot

Abraham's own goal provided wackiness right off the bat, and with that out of the way, we could then foreshadow the refereeing controversy that would go on to underline the entire contest.

Joel Veltman and the rest of the Ajax backline pleaded with referee Gianluca Rocchi to review his decision to award a penalty for a sliding challenge on Christian Pulisic. He didn't; Jorginho stepped up to the spot, and with his trademark hopping technique, leveled proceedings. Before everyone in the stadium had taken their seats, we were knotted at one apiece.

35': Kepa's cheeky own goal

Unfortunate? Yes. Absolutely hilarious? Also yes. Kepa Arrizabalaga is going to hear about his memorable own goal for quite some time.

Not only did the unlikely boink ooze banter, but it also made Chelsea the first side to concede two Champions League own goals in the same half since 2010.

45': Zouma's mesmerizing solo run

The fact that center-back Kurt Zouma’s marauding run from his own half was not one of the five most absurd moments of Tuesday’s draw reflects just how crazy the match was.

The towering defender recovered a loose pass, eluded four Ajax markers, and turned Veltman with a series of stepovers before unleashing a right-footed rocket that sailed into the London night. Zouma had five successful take-ons against Ajax, with four coming on this play. Lampard could only laugh.

55': Van de Beek silences Stamford Bridge

Ten minutes after the break and against the run of play, Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek scored for the visitors to make it 4-1. The Dutch midfielder was the recipient of an incisive pass from Hakim Ziyech.

Van de Beek’s goal had the makings of a backbreaker for Chelsea after Lampard’s charges came out of the break on the front foot. Match done? Not so much.

63': Azpilicueta makes it 4-2, loses mind

Eight minutes after Van de Beek made it 4-1 to seemingly put the result out of reach, Cesar Azpilicueta poked home at the far post to make it 4-2 following a frenzied sequence in Ajax’s penalty area.

After glancing over to the linesman to confirm that he was onside, the Spanish full-back’s buoyant fist-pumping and arm-waving celebration lifted Stamford Bridge from a sober stupor.

68': Infamous double-dismissal sequence

A match blessed by countless storylines was flipped on its head when Ajax center-backs Daley Blind and Veltman were both brandished second yellows on the same play.

Blind saw a second yellow for scything down Abraham, and with referee Rocchi playing the advantage, Veltman was also penalized, this time for dissent following a handball. Blind and Veltman got their marching orders and Jorginho scored his second from the spot to make it 4-3. Game on.

74': James makes history with equalizer

Academy product Reece James’ halftime introduction for faulty Marcos Alonso was necessary, and the youngster repaid Lampard’s trust when he fired a Kurt Zouma headed-rebound off the bar and beyond Andre Onana.

The 19-year-old's first goal for Chelsea made him the club’s youngest-ever scorer in the Champions League. Stamford Bridge was rocking.

78': Azpilicueta's overturned winner

Can a football match be truly bananas in 2019 without some involvement from VAR? After Azpilicueta wheeled away in celebration, thinking he had surely capped Chelsea's remarkable fightback with his second tally of the game, the video assistant referee put an abrupt halt to proceedings.

An inadvertent handball from Abraham prior to Azpilicueta's close-range effort chalked the goal off. It was a pity, too, because the Spaniard went all out on the celebration. He ripped his armband off, executed an emphatic slide, and then kissed said armband in front of the Blues' fans. Should have kept that one in the back pocket, Dave.

90': Four minutes added on?!

After a madcap second stanza that saw four goals, two red cards, one penalty, multiple substitutions, and a VAR review that chalked off Azpilicueta's would-be winner - not to mention the run-of-the-mill stoppages that inevitably slow any match down - it's ludicrous that there were only four minutes of stoppage time added on.

The fans were perplexed, the commentators were furious, and, selfishly, we were robbed of a chance to potentially see one last twist in this incredible tale.