Benfica Defeat Juventus 2-0 to Secure UCL Knockout Round Playoff Spot

Benfica secured a 2-0 win over Juventus in Turin, booking their spot in the UEFA Champions League knockout round playoffs. Get the latest UCL updates, match highlights, and results.

Vangelis Pavlidis played a starring role, scoring a goal and providing an assist, as Benfica defeated Juventus 2-0 on the final matchday of the UEFA Champions League league phase. This victory ensured Benfica's place in the knockout round playoffs, where they will join Juventus.

Benfica's position in the knockout rounds was far from secure heading into the match, following a stunning collapse against Barcelona on matchday seven. Despite leading by two goals on two separate occasions, Benfica ultimately fell to a 5-4 defeat. Vangelis Pavlidis had netted a first-half hat-trick in that match, but he was unable to replicate that feat in Turin.

Benfica get the job done in Turin 👏#UCL pic.twitter.com/nLrdwinfY8

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) January 29, 2025

Pavlidis did, however, score a crucial opener in the 17th minute at the Allianz Stadium. The Greek striker was teed up by centre-back Alexander Bah and had the simple task of rolling the ball home. Juventus nearly conceded again in first-half stoppage time, but Mattia Perin made a crucial stop to deny Pavlidis his second goal of the match.

Trailing at halftime for the first time in a UCL home game this season, Juventus attempted to mount a comeback. Khephren Thuram led the charge, forcing Anatoliy Trubin to dive to his left to gather his driven effort. However, this moment of promise was followed by ineffective spells of possession, highlighting Juventus' struggles in creating clear-cut chances.

The league phase is complete ✅#UCL pic.twitter.com/8Ix7MvcqI4

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) January 29, 2025

Juventus' inability to trouble the scorers in three of their last five European outings was evident, as they failed to create meaningful opportunities despite having possession. When Trubin was eventually forced back into action, it was to prevent an own goal from Nicolas Otamendi, who nearly deflected Weston McKennie's inswinging cross into his own net.

Benfica, on the other hand, had no trouble finding the back of the net, doubling their advantage in the 81st minute to crush Juventus' hopes of a comeback. Orkun Kokcu collected Vangelis Pavlidis' pass on the edge of the box and swept a low right-foot shot past the outstretched Mattia Perrin. This strike secured Benfica a 2-0 win, their third in four European away games, and a 16th-place finish in the UCL league phase.