Champions League: Cristiano Ronaldo Silenced As FC Porto Knock Juventus Out

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Juventus crashed out of the Champions League within the final 16 for the second yr working on Tuesday, shedding to 10-man Porto on away objectives regardless of profitable the second leg 3-2 in Turin. Sergio Oliveira’s extra-time free-kick despatched twice former winners Porto by way of to the quarter-finals because the tie completed 4-4 on combination. Main 2-1 from the primary leg in Portugal, Oliveira’s first-half penalty elevated Porto’s benefit however Juventus levelled the tie by way of two objectives from Federico Chiesa, which got here both facet of Porto striker Mehdi Taremi’s purple card. Oliveira then rifled house a low free-kick on 115 minutes, which handed by way of the legs of Ronaldo, with Adrien Rabiot’s header in reply coming in useless for Juventus. 

“If you make 4 large errors over two legs within the Champions League final 16, you may get eradicated,” mentioned Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo. 

“It should take a couple of days to wipe this recreation from our minds, however then we should play each recreation with the proper angle, realise we’re nonetheless solely in March and have time to climb the Serie A desk.”

Juventus had been relying on Portuguese striker Ronaldo, the competitors’s file goalscorer, and in-form Spaniard Alvaro Morata, who had scored six objectives within the competitors this season, to drag them by way of.

However Juventus’ Champions League heartache stretching again 25 years continued, falling within the first knockout around the second consecutive yr after shedding to French membership Lyon final season.

“The work of the entire workforce was necessary to undergo in a way that was absolutely deserved,” mentioned veteran Porto defender Pepe.

“It is laborious to clarify by phrases the best way we managed to react (taking part in with 10 males). Immediately we confirmed numerous character: the gamers have been targeted and that made it simple for us.”

Pirlo, in his first season as Juventus coach, had regained a number of injured gamers together with midfielder Arthur and defender Leonardo Bonucci, however captain Giorgio Chiellini remained on the bench with Danilo suspended.

Porto goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin produced a pointy early save to show away a Morata header, whereas Taremi nodded in opposition to the crossbar on the different finish in a full of life begin to the sport. 

The Italian champions fell behind on the evening when Merih Demiral conceded a penalty after bundling over Taremi within the field, with Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers pointing to the spot.

Oliveira made no mistake, sending Wojciech Szczesny the flawed technique to give the guests a 3-1 benefit general.

Marchesin continued his heroics, the Argentine blocking from Morata on 26 minutes and Rabiot minutes later after the French midfielder took purpose from distance.

– Chiesa revives Juve hopes –

Juve hit again after the break due to Chiesa’s double, the primary on 49 minutes when Ronaldo managed and knocked it again for Chiesa to twist in previous Marchesin from a decent angle.

Porto quickly went a person down with Taremi despatched off for 2 fast yellow playing cards, the second for recklessly kicking the ball away.

Regardless of the Iranian’s absence Porto managed to carry on, with Pepe intervening brilliantly to pressure Chiesa into placing the publish after rounding Marchesin.

Chiesa made no mistake simply after the hour getting his head to a different excellent Juan Cuadrado cross which Marchesin once more received a hand to however couldn’t cease as Juve pulled stage 3-3 on combination.

Ronaldo missed an opportunity so as to add to his tally of 134 Champions League objectives after heading a Cuadrado supply large with 12 minutes to go.

It was finish to finish motion with Marchesin denying Chiesa a hat-trick, whereas Morata had a aim dominated out for offside in harm time earlier than Cuadrado was desperately unfortunate to see his curling shot smack again off the bar.

Porto had the perfect likelihood of the primary quarter-hour in further time with Szczesny blocking a Moussa Marega header. 

Promoted

However Oliviera received a free-kick and fired in low to beat Szczesny on 115 minutes amid wild celebrations from the Portuguese bench.

Two minutes later Rabiot headed Juventus again into rivalry however the hosts couldn’t snatch one other aim as their European journey ended prematurely as soon as extra.