UEFA Champions League | Porto 0 – Juventus 2

Juventus are favourites to go through to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League following a 2-0 away win over ten men Porto.

Simon Busuttil (second from left) with a PN delegation at the Chamber of Commerce
Simon Busuttil (second from left) with a PN delegation at the Chamber of Commerce

Porto had the first opportunity on goal after six minutes. The Portuguese side won a free-kick after Andre Silva was fouled by Giorgio Chiellini. From the set piece, Yacine Brahimi saw his shot going slightly high.

Juventus responded on the 22nd minute. Following some good work from Sami Khedira and Gonzalo Hinguain, the ball fell for Paolo Dybala who sent his first-time effort over the post.

On the 27th minute, Porto took a set-back when Alex Telles was given his marching orders by Felix Brych. The Brazilian was cautioned twice in the space of two minutes.

Having an extra man, Juventus took control of the game and had a promising chance on the 33rd minute. Miralem Pjanic hit a low shot from distance that was neutralised by Iker Casillas.

The Italian champions were dangerous again a minute later. Alex Sandro went down the left flank and sent a cross that found Khedira. The German fired a header that ended up marginally wide.

Casillas was on the alert to deny Juventus on the 39th minute. Sandro found Hinguain and the latter’s shot was tipped away by the Spanish goalkeeper.

In the additional time, Dybala was denied by the post. The Argentine hit a strong shot from distance that hit the wood work.

One minute into the second half, Juventus had a goal disallowed. Pjanic delivered a through ball towards Dybala, and the striker smashed a shot inside the net. However, the assistant referee raised his flag for an off-side.

Porto replied on the 48th minute. Miguel Layun bended the ball towards the far post in the direction of Hector Herrera whose effort ended wide.

The Italian Champions created another opportunity on the hour mark. Following a cross by Sandro, Porto’s defence partially cleared the danger. The ball fell for Khedira whose Volley went centimetres off target.

Massimiliano Allegri’s kept dominating and had another chance on the 66th minute. Dybala delivered the ball towards Hinguain and the striker fired a shot from the edge of the penalty area that went wide.

Finally, Juventus found the breakthrough on the 72nd minute. Dybala’s pass took a deflection of Layun and ended in the path of substitute Marko Pjaca who finished inside the net.

Two minutes later, another substitute scored the second goal for the Bianconeri. Daniel Alves who had been on the pitch for less than a minute received a cross from Sandro and hit a shot past Casillas.

On the 87th minute, Juventus nearly scored their third away goal. Hinguain served Pjaca and the latter sent Khedira through on the right side of the penalty area but his effort sailed wide.

Sevilla 2 vs Leicester 1

Everything to play for in the second leg between these two sides as Sevilla registered a narrow 2-1 win over Leicester. Pablo Sarabia and Joaquin Correa scored for Sevilla, while Jamie Vardy scored for Leicester.