Juventus thanked midfielders Khephren Thuram and Weston McKennie when beating Jose Mourinho’s Benfica, and a Vangelis Pavlidis penalty miss, to maintain Champions League ambitions alive.
The Bianconeri managed solely three attracts within the first 4 video games of , however have been revitalised by back-to-back victories over Bodo/Glimt and Pafos. Nevertheless, Serie A type took successful on the weekend with an . Dusan Vlahovic and Daniele Rugani have been nonetheless out of motion. Benfica equally misplaced the primary 4 in Europe, then beat Ajax and Napoli 2-0, however coach Jose Mourinho was lacking injured Dodi Lukebakio, Richard Rios, Alexander Bah, Joao Veloso, Nuno Felix, Samuel Soares and Joshua Wynder.
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TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 21: Gamers of Juventus pose for a group group picture previous to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Section MD7 match between Juventus and SL Benfica at Juventus Stadium on January 21, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Picture by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Photos)
Georgiy Sudakov examined Michele Di Gregorio on an early counter-attack, however Trubin had a a lot more durable one-handed save on the Kenan Yildiz right-foot roller from the sting of the field.
Yildiz tried once more from an identical place, this time flashing the end simply extensive, however Juve made a large number taking part in out from the again, forcing Di Gregorio into one other difficult save on Sudakov, with Lloyd Kelly lunging in to forestall Vangelis Pavlidis scoring on the rebound.
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Prestianni additionally ballooned over after the Bianconeri gave it away once more, whereas Fabio Miretti’s header was simply over on a nook.
Jonathan David actually ought to’ve accomplished higher simply earlier than half-time with a weak and astray header on Weston McKennie’s cross.
TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 21: Heorhiy Sudakov of Benfica is challenged by Weston McKennie of Juventus throughout the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Section MD7 match between Juventus and SL Benfica at Juventus Stadium on January 21, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Picture by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Photos)
Francisco Conceicao changed Miretti for the restart, however Di Gregorio rushed off his line to smother on the toes of Aursnes, then Pavlidis had his effort deflected simply extensive off Kelly, because the Bianconeri continued to provide it away taking part in out from the again.
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McKennie pressured a tough save from Trubin with a first-time sweep of the boot on Pierre Kalulu’s low cross, however Juve lastly broke the impasse.
TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 21: Kenan Yildiz of Juventus is challenged by Amar Dedic of Benfica throughout the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Section MD7 match between Juventus and SL Benfica at Juventus Stadium on January 21, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Picture by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Photos)
Thuram gathered outdoors the realm, mixed with David to dribble simply contained in the field, and drilled low into the close to backside nook with the suitable boot.
They doubled their benefit simply 9 minutes later, as McKennie and David mixed with a fast double one-two to interrupt into the realm, the American scoring for the third Champions League recreation in a row.
Benfica have been unfortunate to not get again into it, because the Frederik Aursnes header on a nook thumped the far submit, whereas Locatelli charged down a Pavlidis try and Trubin struggled to parry a deflected Francisco Conceicao cross-shot on the again submit.
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VAR noticed a Gleison Bremer foul on Barreiro within the closing minutes, when he went to kick the bouncing ball and solely caught the ankle. Nevertheless, Pavlidis stepped as much as take the penalty and slipped on the turf, sending the kick a great distance extensive.
Juventus 2-0 Benfica
Thuram 55 (J), McKennie 64 (J)
Missed penalty: Pavlidis 81 (B)
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