Benfica hopes hang by a string to advance in Champions League

In what was a pivotal Matchday 7 Champions League clash at the Allianz Stadium, Juventus secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Benfica, putting a dent into the Eagles' hopes of advancing to the knockout stages of the competition.

Mourinho's Benfica arrived with a disciplined, compact setup designed to frustrate the hosts and look to hit on the counter, proving once again the Special One's tactical acumen in big European ties. 

The first half remained goalless, with Benfica holding firm and even creating some half-chances, showing Mourinho had the right game plan to contain Juventus' midfield and limit clear openings.

However, the second half exposed Benfica's weakness in the game, a lack of ruthlessness in the final third of the pitch. Juventus would break through in the 55th minute when Khephren Thuram fired home the game's opening goal which was quickly followed by Weston McKennie's clinical finish in the 64th.

Benfica's failure to be clutch when it mattered most would prove costly as the club squandered promising chances from continuous giveaways by the Italian side, lacking that killer instinct to punish Juventus in their home stadium.

A late lifeline came when Bremer conceded a penalty after a VAR review, but striker Vangelis Pavlidis slipped during his run-up to the ball and blazed it wide of the goal, an uncharacteristic miss that pretty much summed up Benfica's night in a nutshell.

Benfica's hopes to advance in the competition now hang by a thread as they sit 29th two points outside the qualification zone with one match left against heavyweight Real Madrid at the Luz. If Benfica are to advance it starts with a victory, followed by a lot of help from other game results.