Juventus 1-0 Valencia: Ronaldo assists Mandzukic as Bianconeri reach last 16

  /  R47

Juventus punched their ticket to the Champions League's last 16 as Cristiano Ronaldo assisted Mario Mandzukic to score in a narrow 1-0 win over Valencia in Turin

Match Events

2' Ronaldo tests Valencia with a shot from outside the box

Alex Sandro finds space in the final third and he tees up Ronaldo for an effort at goal, only for the Portuguese to place his effort wide of the target.

26' No penalty! Pjanic goes down in the box

NO PENALTY! A much clearer one this time as Pjanic goes down after a tackle from Diakhaby, but again, referee Willie Collum does not give anything. 

The replays show that Pjanic went over pretty easily, and it was probably the right decision. 

45' Wonderful save from Szczesny!

Valencia have a corner delivered and Diakhaby heads towards goal at the near post, but the Juventus goalkeeper makes a wonderful, point blank save to see it away. 

Diakhaby cannot believe it hasn't gone in, and neither can I! What a reaction save.

47' CHANCE! Ronaldo's free kick saved

Dybala is brought down by Diakhaby 30 yards from goal and the referee awards a free-kick. Ronaldo goes for the strike at goal from distance, only to fire his effort straight at Neto.

59'GOAL! Juventus 1-0 Valencia (Mandzukic)

GOALLLLLLLLL!!!! MANDZUKIC PUTS JUVE AHEAD!! 1-0!!! The home side take the lead and a moment of magic from Ronaldo unlocks the Valencia defence. The Portuguese collects in the left inside channel and uses a fine piece of skill to gain half-a-yard on Gabriel. He fires a low ball across the face of goal that sees Mandzukic get the wrong side of Gaya, and he has simple chance to tap in to the back of the net. 

61' HANDBALL! Diakhaby's goal disallowed

DISALLOWED GOAL! It's not Diakhaby's night as he sees a goal disallowed for handball. Parejo delivers the resulting free-kick into the box for Diakhaby to attack. He glances the ball into the back of the net, but the Juve players are adamant that he did so with his hand. The referee agrees and the replays show that the defender did indeed use his arm.

68' CHANCE! Dybala's shot saved

SAVE! Dybala turns into space on the edge of the box and tries to curl an effort over Neto. He connects well with his strike, but the Valencia keeper does well to drop back to turn his effort over the bar.

73' GREAT CHANCE! Ronaldo's header saved

SAVE! Juve in a corner down the left flank and Pjanic curls a dangerous cross into the middle. Ronaldo gets a good leap to head his effort at goal, only to be denied by a decent save from Neto.

Match reports

Mario Mandzukic's 59th-minute winner earned Juventus a 1-0 victory over Valencia that ensured they booked their place in the knockout rounds.

The Bianconeri were stunned by Manchester United in Turin during their last group game but sealed their place in the last 16 with one game to spare on Tuesday, with Group H top spot now up for grabs on matchday six.

In a game of few chances, Mandzukic scored a tap-in in the second half after Cristiano Ronaldo had worked space to steer a cross to the Croatian striker.

United's last-gasp win over Young Boys means Valencia can no longer reach the last 16 even if they beat Mourinho's side at home in their final group game.

Line-ups

Juventus XI: Cristiano Ronaldo, B. Matuidi, Bonucci, W. Szczęsny,  Chiellini, M. Mandžukić, Pjanic, A.Sandro, Cancelo, P. Dybala, R. Bentancur

Subs: Barzagli, M. Benatia, Juan Cuadrado, Douglas Costa, M. Perin, Rugani, M.Kean

Valencia XI: D.Wass, Parejo, Coquelin, Neto, Rodrigo, Gabriel, Kondogbia, Gayá, Gonçalo Guedes, Mina, Diakhaby

Subs: Gameiro, Murillo, Cristiano Piccini, M. Batshuayi, Jaume Doménech, T.Lato, C.Soler

Related: Juventus Valencia Ronaldo Mandzukic
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