{"id":14013,"date":"2026-01-22T12:12:54","date_gmt":"2026-01-22T09:12:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/news\/?p=14013"},"modified":"2026-01-22T12:12:55","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T09:12:55","slug":"juventus-beat-benfica-2-0-to-keep-ucl-top-eight-dream-alive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/news\/football-odds\/juventus-beat-benfica-2-0-to-keep-ucl-top-eight-dream-alive\/","title":{"rendered":"Juventus Beat Benfica 2\u20130 to Keep UCL Top-Eight Dream Alive"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Juventus kept their UEFA Champions League (UCL) automatic qualification hopes alive with a composed 2\u20130 victory over SL Benfica at the Allianz Stadium. Goals from Kh\u00e9phren Thuram<\/strong> and Weston McKennie<\/strong> sealed a crucial win for the Bianconeri, who are now on a three-match UCL winning streak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Kenyan football fans following Europe\u2019s biggest stage, this was a classic Champions League night\u2014intense, tactical, and full of drama.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First Half: End-to-End but Goalless<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The match exploded into life early on as Kenan Y\u0131ld\u0131z<\/strong> nearly broke the deadlock twice within the opening 15 minutes. Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin<\/strong> had to stretch at full length to deny his curling shot before watching another effort fly inches wide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benfica slowly grew into the contest, and their best chance of the half came through Georgiy Sudakov<\/strong>, whose powerful strike forced a sharp save from Michele Di Gregorio<\/strong>. Defender Lloyd Kelly<\/strong> then cleared the rebound to keep the score level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Juventus came close again when Fabio Miretti<\/strong> headed narrowly over from inside the box. Despite the chances, the first half ended 0\u20130, with both sides showing attacking intent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Juventus
Photo courtesy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Second Half: Juventus Step Up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Luciano Spalletti\u2019s halftime talk clearly worked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just nine minutes into the second half, Trubin denied Weston McKennie<\/strong>, but Juventus did not relent. Moments later, Kh\u00e9phren Thuram<\/strong> drilled a low shot into the bottom corner to finally break the deadlock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Allianz Stadium erupted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benfica barely had time to regroup before Juventus struck again. McKennie combined brilliantly with Jonathan David<\/strong> and calmly slotted home to make it 2\u20130<\/strong>, his third UCL goal of the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Late Drama: Penalty Miss Seals Benfica\u2019s Fate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Benfica pushed hard for a lifeline and hit the woodwork through Fredrik Aursnes<\/strong>. Their most significant chance came after a VAR review awarded them a penalty in the final 10 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Vangelis Pavlidis<\/strong> slipped as he struck the ball, sending the spot-kick wide. The Juventus fans roared as their side saw out the win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Juventus
Photo courtesy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What This Means<\/h2>\n\n\n\n