UCL: Juventus Held to 1-1 Draw by Sporting CP in Champions League

Spalletti's Juventus drops points in 1-1 draw with Sporting

Juventus was held to a 1-1 draw by Sporting CP in their Champions League opener under coach Luciano Spalletti. Dusan Vlahovic scored for Juventus, while Maximiliano Araujo netted for Sporting.

Juventus struggled to create scoring opportunities, managing only two shots on target from long distance in the final...

Juventus failed to secure a win in their season's first UEFA Champions League match, drawing 1-1 with Sporting CP at the Allianz Stadium. Despite their strong form, Juventus' attacking struggles were evident again.

Sporting CP made a strong statement with a confident start, taking the lead in the 12th minute. Maximiliano Araujo's stunning finish, which deflected off the post, gave the visitors the advantage and set the tone for a competitive match.

Sporting CP nearly doubled their lead just two minutes later when Francisco Trincao's powerful shot hit the bar, leaving Juventus' goalkeeper with no chance.

Dusan Vlahovic led Juventus' fightback with a fine glancing header inside the box that forced an outstanding save from Rui Silva. The Serbian striker continued to test the goalkeeper, producing another excellent opportunity just 30 seconds later, but Silva was up to the task with a full-stretch stop to tip the ball around the post.

The pressure paid off for Juventus as they equalized through Dusan Vlahovic, who poked home from close range after receiving an excellent pass from Khephren Thuram.

Just before halftime, Juventus nearly took the lead when Francisco Conceicao's strike was deflected just inches wide of the post, ending a thrilling first half.

A draw in Turin 🤝#UCL pic.twitter.com/Q2BG8M1OX1

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) November 4, 2025

The match became more subdued in the second half, with Juventus struggling to find the final touch despite dominating possession. Their poor finishing and lack of composure in the attacking third proved costly, as they frequently wasted promising opportunities. Meanwhile, Sporting adopted a more defensive approach, content to absorb the pressure and look for counter-attacking opportunities.

Juventus struggled to create scoring opportunities, managing only two shots on target from long distance in the final 10 minutes, both of which were easily saved by Rui Silva.

𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝: Pedro Gonçalves 8️⃣ by @ChampionsLeague #UCL #JUVSCP pic.twitter.com/ztTIuR2Tvw

— Sporting CP (@SportingCP) November 4, 2025

In a thrilling finale, Juventus nearly snatched victory in stoppage time when Jonathan David's last-gasp effort was superbly tipped over by Silva, denying the Italian side a dramatic win.

The draw helped Juventus climb into the top 24 of the Champions League table, though several teams around them have a game in hand. Despite a rough start to the season and a managerial change, Juventus remain unbeaten in their last 11 home games across all competitions.

For Sporting, the draw saw them rise into the top 10 after a draw away from home. They have now suffered just one defeat in their opening four matches.