Champions League: Holders face Euro exit after Tevez spot-kick
JUVENTUS 2 REAL MADRID 1
FORMER Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez dispatched a second-half penalty to ensure Juventus edged an enthralling contest against Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi final in Turin last night.
The Old Lady, who claimed a fourth successive Serie A title with victory over Sampdoria on Saturday, established an early lead when Spanish forward Alvaro Morata netted against his old club after Real keeper Iker Casillas had spilled a Tevez effort.
Real are bidding to become the first club to successfully defend their Champions League title. AC Milan were the last team to retain Europe’s premier club competition, although the tournament was in its former guise of the European Cup.
And the reigning European champions levelled matters and scored a potentially pivotal away goal shortly before the half hour mark when James Rodriguez crossed to the far post for Cristiano Ronaldo to head home his 54th goal of another prolific season.
The hosts restored their advantage on 58 minutes when Tevez was tripped in the penalty area by Dani Carvajal, before lashing the resulting spot-kick past Casillas for his seventh Champions League goal of the campaign.
Real have now failed to win on their last eight trips to face Italian sides and Juventus will take a slender one-goal cushion to the Spanish capital next week as they bid to reach their first Champions League final since 2003.