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Juventus 1-0 Club America: Weather delay postpones slender Juve win
The World Football Challenge continued at Citi Field on Tuesday, with Juventus nabbing a 1-0 win over Club America.
By Zac Lee Rigg
Getty Images
Juventus beat Club America by a single goal in the World Football Challenge preseason friendly Tuesday night with winger Cristian Pasquato scoring the game's only goal.
Aside from the goal, the main feature of the match was the referee delaying it due to a passing lightning storm at the half hour mark.
"We had a lot of fans for Juventus, so it was a nice experience for us," fullback Reto Zeigler said. "It was a bit strange because we had to stop the game. It was the first time [I've had] to stop for raining. But we are all happy for the win."
Prior to that, fellow fullback Stephan Lichtsteiner sent in a teasing cross that Alessandro Matri hit on the volley, his back turned to goal, sending the attempt narrowly wide in the best chance of the game that far.
After play resumed, Lichtsteiner proved that his offensive contribution was no one-off and that Juventus had the right idea in mind when it shelled out 10 million euros for his services. Another well-placed cross troubled America goalkeeper Armando Navarrete, who flubbed his attempt to collect and only managed to push the ball to the waiting Pasquato. The 22-year-old one-timed his volley past a horde of America jerseys into the top right corner to give Juve the lead.
America's best chance of leveling the score came just before half when Gianluigi Buffon deflected a left-footed shot by Christian Benitez wide of the post.
"They were clearly good, in my opinion a very strong team," Buffon said of the Mexican side. "They're in better condition than we are."
The goalkeeper was also impressed by the fans who braved the rain and thunder to watch the preseason friendly.
"With the national team we have meet Mexico often, and we have seen very warm supporters who follow their team with passion but without excesses."
Juve coach Antonio Conte waited until the 73rd minute to make changes to his lineup, suggesting he's nearing his settled side ahead of the Serie A season.
However, despite the late changes, neither side could add another goal, and it finished 1-0 to Juve.
Aside from the goal, the main feature of the match was the referee delaying it due to a passing lightning storm at the half hour mark.
"We had a lot of fans for Juventus, so it was a nice experience for us," fullback Reto Zeigler said. "It was a bit strange because we had to stop the game. It was the first time [I've had] to stop for raining. But we are all happy for the win."
Prior to that, fellow fullback Stephan Lichtsteiner sent in a teasing cross that Alessandro Matri hit on the volley, his back turned to goal, sending the attempt narrowly wide in the best chance of the game that far.
After play resumed, Lichtsteiner proved that his offensive contribution was no one-off and that Juventus had the right idea in mind when it shelled out 10 million euros for his services. Another well-placed cross troubled America goalkeeper Armando Navarrete, who flubbed his attempt to collect and only managed to push the ball to the waiting Pasquato. The 22-year-old one-timed his volley past a horde of America jerseys into the top right corner to give Juve the lead.
America's best chance of leveling the score came just before half when Gianluigi Buffon deflected a left-footed shot by Christian Benitez wide of the post.
"They were clearly good, in my opinion a very strong team," Buffon said of the Mexican side. "They're in better condition than we are."
The goalkeeper was also impressed by the fans who braved the rain and thunder to watch the preseason friendly.
"With the national team we have meet Mexico often, and we have seen very warm supporters who follow their team with passion but without excesses."
Juve coach Antonio Conte waited until the 73rd minute to make changes to his lineup, suggesting he's nearing his settled side ahead of the Serie A season.
However, despite the late changes, neither side could add another goal, and it finished 1-0 to Juve.
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In EDT
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker Real Madrid |
5 | 1 |
|
Karim Benzema
Striker Real Madrid |
5 | 0 |
|
Heiðar Helguson
Striker QPR |
5 | 0 |
|
Jason Roberts
Striker Blackburn Rovers |
4 | 1 |
|
Wayne Rooney
Striker Man United |
4 | 0 |