Thuram and McKennie goals secure vital victory, but late penalty miss spares Italian nerves.
Juventus kept their hopes of automatic Champions League qualification firmly alive with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over a spirited SL Benfica at the Allianz Stadium.
In a match filled with tension and missed chances, the breakthrough finally arrived in the second half. After relentless pressure, Khephren Thuram broke the deadlock in the 55th minute, drilling a low shot into the bottom corner to send the home crowd into raptures. The lead was doubled just minutes later through Weston McKennie, who coolly finished after a clever link-up with Jonathan David for his third Champions League goal of the season.
The night was far from straightforward for the Italian giants. Benfica, managed by José Mourinho, had weathered a storm of early Juventus chances and grew into the game, hitting the woodwork and eventually winning a penalty with ten minutes remaining. However, striker Vangelis Pavlidis slipped as he took the crucial spot-kick, sending the ball wildly off target to the immense relief of the jubilant home support.
Juventus’s victory marks a remarkable turnaround in form, securing their third consecutive win in the competition after a shaky start. The result leaves their fate in their own hands heading into the final matchday. A win away to AS Monaco next week could see them snatch a top-eight finish and direct qualification to the round of 16, depending on results elsewhere.
For Benfica, the defeat is a setback, but their own Champions League journey is not over. They can still reach the knockout play-offs if they can beat group leaders Real Madrid at home and get the necessary help from other matches on what promises to be a dramatic final night of the league phase.
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