Juventus starting XI (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio, Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, Cambiaso (subbed for Cabal) Locatelli (subbed for Koopmeiners), Thuram, McKennie, Miretti (subbed for Conceicao), Yildiz (subbed for Kostic), David (subbed for Openda)
Bench: Perin, Pinsoglio, Gatti, Zhegrova, Adzic, Joao Mario, Rouhi
Goals: Thuram 55’, McKennie 64’
Benfica starting XI (4-2-3-1): Trubin, Dedic, Tomas Araujo, Otamendi, Dahl, Barreiro, Aursnes, Prestianni (subbed for Joao Rego), Sudakov (subbed for Barrenechea), Schjelderup (subbed for Ivanovic), Pavlidis
Bench: Diogo Ferreira, Antonio Silva, Bruma, Manu Silva, Daniel Banjaqui, José Neto, Goncalo Oliveira, Rodrigo Rego, Diogo Prioste
After a largely quiet first half, Juve emerged after the break with greater purpose and intensity.
The breakthrough came in the 55th minute when Khéphren Thuram created and finished a decisive opening goal by driving into space and firing low into the corner.
Buoyed by the lead, Juventus continued to build pressure and soon doubled their advantage in the 64th minute. Weston McKennie, already in strong Champions League form, played a one-two with Jonathan David before composedly slotting past Benfica keeper Anatoliy Trubin to make it 2–0 for his third goal in as many European fixtures.
Benfica pushed for a route back into the game and were handed a chance from the penalty spot later on—but taker Vangelis Pavlidis slipped, causing his shot to go wide.
The win mathematically secures Juventus a place in the knockout play-offs and keeps alive their slim ambitions of finishing inside the top eight of the group stage.
Benfica now depend on a favourable result against Real Madrid to keep their own European hopes alive.
