Dybala helps Juventus down Porto – Champions League

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Juventus 1-0 FC Porto (Agg. 3-0)

Italian champions Juventus eased into the Champions League quarter-finals with a routine second-leg win against their Portuguese opposition Porto.

Leading 2-0 from the first leg, Juve sealed the tie when Paulo Dybala drilled in a low penalty after Maxi Periera was sent off for handball.

The hosts played the second half at a canter as they reached the last eight for the second time in four years.

Striker Gonzalo Higuain went closest to a second when he fired wide.

Juventus are joined in the last eight by English champions Leicester City, who beat Sevilla in tonight’s other game.

The quarter-final draw takes place on Friday.

The Juventus players celebrate after the final whistle.

Juventus were heavy favourites to reach the last eight after quickfire goals from Marko Pjaca and Dani Alves in Portugal put them in command of the tie.

The odds were heavily stacked against Porto.

Not only did they have to become the first team to progress after a 2-0 first-leg home defeat in the Champions League, the visitors also had to become the first team to beat the Serie A leaders at Juventus Stadium since August 2015.

Juve never gave them hope of causing a shock.

Massimiliano Allegri’s side controlled the tempo throughout without exerting too much energy, sealing their progress when they were gifted a penalty by Uruguay defender Pereira.

Indiscipline was Porto’s undoing in the first leg with left-back Alex Telles dismissed after two bookings in a 74-second spell in the first half – and another moment of poor decision-making cost them the chance of restoring some pride in Turin.

The second half was played like a training session for the home side, who racked up 68% of possession and 15 shots at goal as their bid for a Champions League, Serie A and Coppa Italia treble continues.


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