Allegri 2022-23 Juventus Getty Images

Disaster in Lisbon! Juventus crash out at Champions League group stage despite late rally against Benfica

  • Juventus crash out of UCL group stage
  • Benfica cruised to 4-1 victory with 15 mins left
  • Iling-Junior inspired late rally not enough

WHAT HAPPENED? A late rally inspired by substitute Samuel Iling-Junior was insufficient as Max Allegri's side crashed to a 4-3 defeat to Benfica at the Stadio Da Luz. Goals from Antonio Silva, Joao Mario and a brace from Rafa Silva had put the home side in the clear with 15 minutes to go, but late strikes from Arkadiusz Milik and Weston McKennie narrowed the deficit to 4-3. Despite a nervy end to the game, Benfica held on to the victory to secure qualification.

THE BIGGER PICTURE: Juventus went into Tuesday night's match needing a win to be in with a mathematical chance of qualification from Group H. However, defeat eliminated the Vecchia Signora from the group stage of the competition for the first time since the 2013/14 season. Allegri's side's tepid performance in Lisbon, aside from a floury late on, caps off an underwhelming start to 2022/23. Juve sit eighth in Serie A, ten points off leaders Napoli with just eleven matches played.

ALL EYES ON: Despite an impressive display off the bench from Iling-Junior, the night in truth belonged to Benfica's Rafa Silva. The Portugal international scored his side's third and fourth goals, as Benfica looked set to pull away from their Group H opponents. Top European clubs will likely be after him in January.

Article continues below

MATCH IN THREE PHOTOS:

Benfica celebrating JuventusGettyMcKennie Benfica Juventus Champions League 2022-23Getty ImagesAllegri Benfica Juventus Champions League 2022-23Getty Images

DID YOU KNOW? Juventus conceded three goals during the first half of a match for the first time in the club's Champions League history.

THE VERDICT:

This sums up Juventus' performance up to 75 minutes:

There was a game-changing moment in Juve's attempted comeback:

Ultimately, however, the night truly belonged to this man:

The irony behind Juve's recent poor record in the tournament:

WHAT NEXT FOR JUVENTUS? After attempting to make up ground in Serie A against Lecce on Saturday, Juventus will need a win against visitors PSG on November 2 to ensure Europa League qualification.

Advertisement