Juventus welcomed Porto to Turin on Tuesday night looking to book their spot in the last eight of the Champions League.
Indeed, the Italian champions entered the match holding a 2-0 advantage from the first leg of their last-16 tie last month.
That lead was extended to 3-0 when Paulo Dybala netted from the penalty spot in the 42nd minute, and Porto's task was made harder by the fact that they lost Maxi Pereira to a red card in the spot-kick incident.
Juventus had chances to score a second after the interval, but it finished 1-0 on the night as the home side breezed into the last eight of the competition.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live Champions League coverage continues from Turin as Juventus welcome Porto for the second leg of their last-16 clash. Porto have a massive task on their hands tonight after losing the first leg 2-0 on home soil last month. Will it be a comfortable progression for the Italian champions, or can Porto cause a shock by eliminating the Old Lady? Stay tuned to find out!
As mentioned, Juventus will enter the second leg tonight in a commanding position after scoring two unanswered goals at the Estadio Do Dragao on February 22. The two teams were level entering the final 20 minutes of action, but Marko Pjaca scored Juventus' first in the 72nd minute, before full-back Dani Alves scored a second two minutes later as the visitors secured a 2-0 win.
Having seen Porto off in the first leg, Juventus are now unbeaten against the Portuguese side in four matches. The Italians recorded a 3-1 home win when they met in the group stage of the 2001-02 Champions League, while they drew 0-0 in the away match. Juventus also overcame Porto in the 1984 Cup Winners' Cup final courtesy of a 2-1 win. It has been pretty much one-way traffic in this fixture.
No team – in 13 previous instances – has ever progressed having lost the first leg of a Champions League knockout tie by a 2-0 scoreline on home soil. Barcelona created history in this competition last week, however, and Porto will be looking to draw inspiration from that performance. That being said, it is still a mammoth task against a Juventus team that are just so strong in this stadium.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Turin. Both teams were in league action on Friday night – Juventus beating AC Milan 2-1 in Serie A, and Porto winning 4-0 at Arouca. Let's run through the two XIs that will start tonight...
TEAMS!
JUVE: Buffon; Alves, Benatia, Bonucci, Sandro; Khedira, Marchisio; Cuadrado, Dybala, Mandzukic; Higuain
PORTO: Casillas; Maxi, Felipe, Marcano, Layun; Danilo, Andre, Oliver, Brahimi; Silva, Soares
As expected, Leonardo Bonucci starts tonight after missing the first leg following a disagreement with head coach Max Allegri. Fellow centre-back Giorgio Chiellini, however, is still struggling with a muscular problem and only makes the bench. Miralem Pjanic has also been left on the bench as Allegri selects an attacking team which includes Paulo Dybala, Gonzalo Higuain and Mario Mandzukic.
As for Porto, full-back Alex Telles is suspended after picking up a red card in the first leg, which has opened up a spot in the team for the experienced Mexican Miguel Layun. Oliver Torres and Andre Andre, meanwhile, are also handed starts by head coach Nuno Espirito. Hector Herrera is among those to drop to the bench, which also includes in-demand youngster Ruben Neves.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just over 30 minutes from kickoff on this mild evening in Turin. The atmosphere, meanwhile, is already brilliant. I shall speak about the away side a little bit later, but let's start with the hosts Juventus. The Italian champions are bidding to reach their 10th Champions League quarter-final, but only their third in the last seven attempts.
Juventus were knocked out by Bayern Munich at this stage of the competition last season, but they have won all 36 of the UEFA competition ties where they triumphed in the first leg away from home. It would be one of the shocks of the season across Europe if the home side did not finish the job tonight, and they are seen as serious challengers to lift the Champions League this season.
The Italians actually only won one of their three home games in the group stage of the competition, but a total of 14 points from six fixtures saw them finish three points clear at the top of Group H. It was the first time since the 2012-13 campaign that Juventus topped their Champions League section, which is an indication of their underachievement in this competition in recent seasons.
Juventus are on a 20-match unbeaten home run in UEFA competition, however, which dates back to a 2-0 defeat against Bayern Munich in 2013. They will also enter this game off the back of an important 2-1 victory over AC Milan in Serie A at the weekend, which stretched their home winning run in the league to 31 matches. It is very difficult to make a case for Porto in Turin tonight.
Roma and Napoli are chasing Juventus down in Serie A, but it does appear that the reigning champions are closing on yet another league title. With that in mind, a lot of focus can be placed on the Champions League this season and there is a genuine feeling that the Italian giants could challenge for their first European Cup since 1996 and just their third trophy overall.
As for Porto, the Portuguese giants will enter this match off the back of a 4-0 win over Arouca at the weekend. Since losing to Juventus, they have scored 12 times in three league victories, which has seen them top the Primeira Liga table ahead of Benfica. At home, things are going well for Porto, but it does appear that their Champions League journey for this season will end tonight.
Porto have only made it past the round of 16 in one of their last six Champions League campaigns (2014-15), although they have been in the quarter-finals of the European Cup on seven previous occasions. Worryingly for the Portuguese side, however, they have only won one of the six UEFA competition ties in which they lost the home first leg. Kickoff is fast approaching in Turin!
In terms of progression to this stage of the competition, Porto finished second in Group G behind Leicester City after collecting 11 points from their six group matches. They only lost once and concede just three goals, while their standout result was a 5-0 win over Leicester on matchday six.
Porto's European record against Italian opposition is won eight, drawn nine and lost 12. They have won four of their last 13 games against Italian hosts, but as mentioned, no team – in 13 previous instances – has progressed having lost the first leg of a Champions League knockout tie by a 2-0 scoreline at home. Porto are well represented in the stands tonight though, that is for sure.
Here we go then. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. It is Champions League night in Turin, and it should be Juventus' night. Can Porto turn around a 2-0 deficit in Italy, or will Juventus progress to the last eight? Stay tuned to find out.
KICKOFF! Porto kick things off in Turin...
... Porto, simply, have to score first tonight if they are to stand a chance of progressing. It does seem like an impossible task for the visitors, but an early goal and anything could happen. Just a reminder that tonight's other Champions League clash is pitting Leicester City against Sevilla.
Half-chance for Juve as Higuain meets a cross from Sandro, but his header was always wide.
CHANCE! Super chance for Dybala as the Argentine finds some space inside the Porto box, but he fires over the crossbar! Juventus are already forcing the issue on home soil.
Bit of possession for Porto in the last few moments as they pass and probe in the final third, but Buffon remains unmoved as his defence shuffle across and deal with the danger. It has been a bright opening five minutes from both teams, although Juventus look the more threatening here.
CLOSE! It is Dybala with the chance once again as the Juventus forward looks to pick out the bottom corner from distance, but his effort is just wide of the post. Dybala is a real threat.
Porto are doing their best to upset Juventus in the middle of the park, but the home side continue to win little fouls before moving the ball quickly and opening up space in the final third. Dybala is seeing plenty of the ball in a deeper position and he has just come close to picking out the head of Higuain.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the last few moments as Juventus continue to dominate the ball without really threatening to make the breakthrough. The onus is very much on Porto to attack, but that is easily said than done against a team that are so strong at the back.
SAVE! Buffon keeps out a long-range effort from Soares.
BOOKING! Cuadrado (Juventus) is booked for a late challenge on Layun.
Brahimi delivers the resulting free kick into the Juventus box, but Barzagli is on hand to head clear. Poor from the Porto attacker, who really should have delivered towards the far post.
Well, 16 minutes on the clock and we are still goalless in Turin. Porto have had bits and pieces in the final third, but Juventus have come closest to scoring through Dybala. Just a reminder that Porto need to score at least twice if they are to stand a chance of progressing to the last eight.
Brahimi is the Porto player causing most of Juventus' problems at the moment here.
Cuadrado has a problem for Juventus after going down in a challenge with Layun, but the wing-back does eventually return to his feet. Layun has been heavily involved so far tonight.
Better from Juventus in the last few minutes as they regain control of the possession, but Casillas has not yet had a save to make for the visitors. The referee remains busy, meanwhile, as late challenges continue to arrive from both teams. Just the one yellow card in the opening 19 minutes though.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of attacking play at the moment as both teams continue to concede possession in the final third. The Porto supporters are in fine voice, however, and their team are responding. Still Juventus have a two-goal advantage in this last-16 European tie.
Dybala attempts to race away from the Porto midfield, but Andre brings the Argentine to the deck and is fortunate to escape a yellow card. It is a very bitty game at the moment truth be told.
SAVE! Easily the best chance of the match thus far as Cuadrado picks out the head of Mandzukic with a super cross, but the striker's effort is straight into the arms of Casillas.
Juventus are getting some joy in the wide positions and another cross from Cuadrado causes some problems inside the Porto box, but Casillas beats Higuain to the ball. The visitors break forward with Soares, who has space to exploit, but Juventus have a lot of bodies back to deal with the danger.
Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining and in truth, it has not been the best of games up until this point. Juventus have had the better of the chances, but the overall quality has actually been quite disappointing. Just a reminder that Porto need to score at least twice tonight.
Higuain looks to pick out Dybala after finding space inside the Porto box, but Marcano is on hand to clear with a brilliant challenge. There is no doubting that Juventus have the better quality in the final third, and you sense that they could go through the gears tonight if it was really required.
BOOKING! Layun (Porto) is booked for a foul on Cuadrado.
Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining, and the score remains goalless on the night, Juventus 2-0 on aggregate. Porto are doing their best to work the ball across the pitch, but Juventus are just so impressive at the back. It is no accident that they hardly ever concede.
Pass, pass, pass from Juventus as they look for space in the final third, but in fairness to Porto, they have been pretty solid in a defensive area. Juventus are very much playing within themselves at the moment and unfortunately for us, that might remain the case as long as the score is 0-0.
BOOKING! Andre (Porto) is booked for a foul on Higuain.
Again it is brilliant from Dybala as the number 21 dances into the Porto box before attempting to squeeze a low cross into Higuain, but Felipe is across to make the challenge. Dybala has been Juventus' standout player in the first period, while Brahimi has impressed for Porto.
Mandzukic's header from the resulting corner is just wide of the post.
Benatia is next to head wide of the Porto post after meeting a free kick from Dybala.
PENALTY JUVENTUS!
RED CARD! PEREIRA!
Oh my word! Juventus have a penalty and Porto are down to 10 men as Pereira is sent off for stopping a goal-bound strike from Higuain with his hand! The referee was in no doubt there!
GOAL! Juventus 1-0 Porto (Dybala, pen)
Wonderful penalty from Dybala as he picks out the bottom corner!
It is going to be tough for Porto to respond from this position and in truth, the second period might be a bit of a non-event. Dybala has been the best player on the pitch so far and he deserves his goal.
Just the one additional minute at the end of the first period.
Cuadrado misses the crossbar with an effort from inside the Porto box.
FULL-TIME: Juventus 1-0 Porto
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Juventus leading 1-0 on the night and 3-0 on aggregate in this Champions League last-16 tie. Porto have had some decent moments tonight, but Juventus, as it stands, are absolutely breezing into the quarter-finals.
STATISTICS! Juventus have dominated the possession with 60%, while they managed 11 attempts in the first period - three of which were on target. Porto, meanwhile, only hit the target with one of their three attempts. There have been three yellow cards - Cuadrado, Layun and Andre - while Porto are of course down to 10 men after Pereira was sent off for handball inside the penalty box.
BENCH WATCH! Under normal circumstances, Porto boss Nuno might have considered a defensive change at the break after losing Pereira. However, the visitors need to score three times tonight and therefore the likes of Herrera and Neves might be called for in the second period. As for Juventus, a very talented and attacking bench includes the likes of Lichtsteiner, Pjaca and Pjanic.
RESTART! Juventus resume the action in Turin...
... SUBS! Pjaca has replaced Cuadrado for the home side. Meanwhile, Porto have introduced Boly for Andre Silva. Not too much of a surprise to see both managers make alterations here.
Just a reminder that Porto need to score three times without reply from this position if they are to advance to the quarter-finals. It is a serious ask against a Juventus side that are so strong at the back and indeed so strong in this stadium. My money is not going on Porto turning this around.
CHANCE! Stunning chance for Porto to level as Soares races clear of the Juventus defence before looking to pick out the bottom corner, but his effort is just wide of the post!
There is no question that Porto are a threat on the counter-attack and they have caused some problems in the last few minutes, but I am struggling to believe that Juventus will not score again down the other end. Andre hits one from distance for the visitors, but his effort was always wide.
Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich are the three favourites for the Champions League this season, but why not Juventus? This might be the year that the Italians regain the European Cup.
Possession football for Porto in the last few minutes as they pass and probe in the final third, but Juventus clear their lines once again as Benatia stops a cross from Brahimi reaching Andre.
Little over 30 minutes of the second period remaining and Juventus, as it stands, are breezing into the quarter-finals. It was always going to be tough for Porto entering tonight's match and they need three goals without reply to advance. At the moment, the home side are happy to keep the ball.
It has not been the prettiest of performances from Juventus tonight, but they are more than getting the job done in terms of progression into the quarter-finals. Not a lot happening at the moment.
Possession football from Juventus as they pass and probe in the final third of the field. Porto had a concern over Danilo after the midfielder hit the deck, but the Portuguese is back on his feet.
Porto are very, very deep at the moment as Juventus continue to dominate the ball. Sandro and Alves are almost playing as wingers, meanwhile, as the home side look for a second goal here.
Half-chance for Juventus as Higuain finds space inside the box before looking to pick out the bottom corner, but his effort was always moving wide of the far post.
PORTO SUB! Jota replaces Brahimi for Porto.
CHANCE! Super chance for Dybala as the striker meets a brilliant cross from Sandro, but he gets the volley all wrong and it goes harmlessly wide of Porto's post.
PORTO SUB! Otavio replaces Torres for the away side.
Not an awful lot happening in Porto's final third at the moment as Juventus continue to keep hold of the ball. The home supporters are pretty comfortable with their team's stance in this game.
Alves goes down inside the Porto box under a challenge from Felipe, but it was well-timed by the number 28 and Alves is quickly on his feet to insist that there was no foul. That is good to see.
Little over 10 minutes of the second period remaining and Porto are heading out of the Champions League. To be honest, this has been a pretty poor game, but Juventus are easing into the quarter-finals with a 3-0 aggregate win as things stand. The Italians have not had to break sweat here.
JUVENTUS SUB! Dybala is replaced by Rincon for the home side.
The Porto supporters have been brilliant tonight and they continue to back their team in the latter stages of this match. Porto will come again, but they have not been good enough to overcome Juventus over two legs. What a quarter-final line-up it is promising to be. Some teams in there!
Little over five minutes of the second period remaining and Juventus have possession inside the Porto half. Dybala's penalty is still the difference between the two teams on the night.
Porto have been just about as adventurous as they could have been in this second period, and they might have been good enough to beat a lesser team than Juventus tonight. As it transpires, the Portuguese side are heading out of the competition as Juventus march on to the quarter-finals.
Not an awful lot happening at the moment as Juventus keep hold of the ball in a central area.
Buffon collects a strike from Jota, who has been bright since entering the field.
We are into the first of three additional minutes at the end of the 90.
The stands continue to empty as we enter the final knockings of this match. Danilo drives through the middle of midfield for Porto, but Rincon stops the powerful midfielder in his tracks.
Leicester City have overcome Sevilla to reach the quarter-finals. Wow!
FULL-TIME: Juventus 1-0 Porto (Juventus win 3-0 on aggregate)
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period in Turin to a close with Juventus winning 1-0 on the night as they book their spot in the quarter-finals with an aggregate score of 3-0 over Porto. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. Until next time!
