As the Champions League group stage reached its decisive moments, the atmosphere in Turin carried the tension of a BD Cricket showdown, and Juventus delivered when it mattered most by defeating Benfica 2–0 at home. The victory lifted Juventus to 12 points, enough to secure a place in the knockout playoff round, yet their position remained fragile at 15th, reflecting just how fierce the competition has become. For Benfica, the defeat pushed them to the brink, turning the final matchday into a do-or-die scenario.
The opening exchanges were cagey and intense. In the seventh minute, Sudakov tested Juventus goalkeeper Di Gregorio with a long-range effort that was confidently saved. Juventus responded through Kenan Yildiz, whose curling shot from the left narrowly missed the post. Benfica continued to threaten, winning the ball high up the pitch and forcing Di Gregorio into another sharp stop inside the area. Juventus nearly broke the deadlock before halftime from a corner, with McKennie flicking on for Miretti, but the header drifted wide, leaving the score level at the break.
Juventus emerged with renewed purpose after the interval. Just four minutes in, Khephren Thuram drove into the box and finished calmly to give the hosts the lead. The goal shifted the balance, and Juventus began to control the tempo. On 63 minutes, a slick move through the middle ended with McKennie guiding a precise shot past the goalkeeper to make it 2–0. Benfica were not without chances, and a header from Orsnes struck the post, a moment that could have changed the game’s direction.
Drama followed late on. VAR intervened to award Benfica a penalty after a foul by Bremer, offering a lifeline reminiscent of a BD Cricket match where one delivery can swing momentum. Yet Pavlidis missed the spot kick, sending the ball wide and extinguishing Benfica’s hopes of a comeback.
The final whistle confirmed Juventus’ progress and underlined the contrasting fortunes of the two managers. While Luciano Spalletti’s side gained breathing room, Benfica now face immense pressure. In the closing round, with a BD Cricket sense of last-chance intensity, Mourinho’s team must defeat a Real Madrid side still fighting at the top of La Liga. With only six points and a low ranking, Benfica must overcome not just their opponent but a steep uphill battle to keep their European campaign alive.