Ajax beat Panathinaikos 13-12 on penalties in one of the wildest shootouts ever seen, it took 25 minutes to complete

Ajax qualified for the Europa League group stage after the most incredible penalty shoot-out against Panathinaikos saw THIRTY-FOUR spot-kicks taken.

After winning the first leg 1-0, the Amsterdam outfit lost the second meeting on home soil on Thursday night.

Brazilian winger Tete struck in the 89th minute to level the tie on aggregate and force extra time.

Neither side could net in 30 minutes of extra time and the third qualifying round was decided by penalties.

Remarkably though, the shoot-out took an almost unprecedented 25 minutes - with multiple players stepping up twice.

Netherlands striker Brian Brobbey missed both of his attempts - including the chance to win it early on.

The score was 5-5 after 16 penalties but then for 14 spot-kicks on the trot, not a single player missed - with both goalkeepers Remko Pasveer and Bartlomiej Dragowski converting.

Brobbey blazed a second penalty over the bar in horrendous fashion when presented with another opportunity, falling to his knees.

Luckily for him though, compatriot and former Feyenoord midfielder Tonny Vilhena missed the ninth penalty of the shoot-out - with Ajax's 40-year-old 'keeper Pasveer making a fifth save.

Having already scored his first, captain Jordan Henderson was set to take the decisive penalty but allowed Anton Gaaei to assume the honours.

Image: Getty

He made no mistake with his effort and sparked crazy scenes at the Johan Cruyff Arena as players piled on one another.

Asked about being the hero, veteran shotstopper Pasveer told Ziggo Sport: "That's my job, right?".

Henderson discussed passing up the moment of glory after the game, telling the broadcaster: "After Brian Brobbey missed, Anton Gaaei said to me: 'If they score now, you can take it, but if they miss, can I take it?'.

"I said 'sure, go take the glory'. And he is probably better at penalties anyway. He deserves it, he's a great lad."

Now in the hat for the group stage draw on 29 August, Ajax are next in action on Sunday when their Eredivisie campaign gets under way against NAC Breda.