TURIN, Italy (Jan. 21, 2026) (Interstat) — Juventus defied pregame projections with a 2-0 victory over Benfica in their Champions League group stage opener Wednesday at Allianz Stadium. Heavily favored by statistical models, Benfica was stifled throughout the match.

The hosts broke through in the 55th minute when midfielder Khéphren Thuram finished an assist from Manuel Locatelli. Midfielder Weston McKennie doubled the lead just nine minutes later, scoring off a pass from defender Lloyd Kelly. Locatelli and Kelly each received late yellow cards for Juventus, which began its European campaign with a clean sheet victory while handing Benfica a loss in its first match of the competition.