Villarreal beat Juventus with goals from Gerard, Pau Torres and Danjuma in a night that will go down in history
Villarreal made history once more. This night in the UEFA Champions League and against Juventus, who they beat 0-3 in a historic UEFA Champions League night in Turin. The Yellows knocked out the Italian side with goals from Gerard Moreno, Pau Torres and Arnaut Danjuma in a second half that will go down in the history books.
Juventus started the game well. The Old Lady had their first chance of the game a few minutes in. Álvaro Morata headed a cross from the right towards goal, but Gero Rulli made an impressive save.
The Italians went close soon after. In the 20th minute, Vlahovic, who was always dangerous, hit the bar after a low De Sciglio cross. The Serbian striker just before then had tried his luck just before with a shot from the edge of the box that the Villarreal goalkeeper saved.
Just before the halfway point, Gio Lo Celso had the first chance for Villarreal. The Argentinean midfielder ended a counterattack with an effort from the edge of the box that went inches wide.
In the 34th minute, Rulli, who was being Villarreal’s best player, made himself massive between the sticks and once more denied Vlahovic. It was 0-0 at half-time There were 45 minutes ahead with everything up for grabs still.
After the break, Villarreal once more looked strong at the back. The Yellows shut up shop defensively and frustrated the home team, who were unable to get past Unai Emery’s men.
In the 65th minute, the Yellows boss introduced Samu Chukwueze and Francis Coquelin for Yeremy Pino and Manu Trigueros. With the changes, the Yellows took a step forward. Even more so when Gerard came on ten minutes later. When the Catalan striker came on, Villarreal grew massively.
The first time when Villarreal got into the box in the second half, Rugani clearly brought down Coquelin, and after checking with VAR, the referee gave a penalty. From 12 yards out, Gerard Moreno beat Szczesny with a low shot to the right. Villarreal went ahead on the scoreboard, silencing the Juventus Stadium.
After the Villarreal goal, Juventus tried to react looking for an equaliser, but it was Villarreal who scored again. Pau Torres fired in a corner taken by Dani Parejo, headed on by Serge Aurier, to make it 0-2. In added time, the referee pointed to the penalti spot again after a De Ligt handball. Danjuma scored the third from the penalty spot. Amazing. Villarreal killed off the tie in Italy. Champions League history.
Lineups
Juventus FC: Szeczesny; Danilo, De Ligt, Rugani (Dybala, m. 79), De Sciglio; Cuadrado, Locatelli (Bernardeschi, m. 83), Arthur, Rabiot; Vlahovic, Morata.
Villarreal CF: Rulli; Aurier, R. Albiol, Pau Torres, Estupiñán; Yeremy (Chukwueze. m. 65), Parejo (A. Pedraza, m. 86), Capoue, M. Trigueros (Coquelin, m. 65); Lo Celso (Gerard, m. 74), Danjuma.
Goals: 0-1. Min. 78: Gerard (p). 0-2. Min. 85: Pau Torres. 0-3. Min. 92: Danjuma (p).
Árbitro: Szymon Marciniak (Poland). Booked: De Ligt (Juventus).
Matchday information: Match between Juventus FC and Villarreal CF, corresponding to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg, at the Juventus Stadium.
