The Midfielder Scored His Second Goal in the Champions League This Season
Weston McKennie delivered a crucial goal on Wednesday night, helping Juventus overcome a sluggish first-half performance to defeat Pafos FC 2-0 in Champions League action. The American midfielder's 67th-minute strike broke the deadlock and propelled the Bianconeri toward a more comfortable position in the competition's league phase standings.
Juventus endured a frustrating opening period at home, with the Cypriot underdogs creating multiple dangerous chances. Pafos struck the goalpost and forced goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio into several impressive saves, leaving the home crowd jeering their team as they headed to the locker room at halftime. Whatever adjustments were made during the break proved effective, as Juventus emerged with renewed purpose.
The breakthrough arrived when Andrea Cambiaso found McKennie inside the penalty area following a corner kick sequence. The Texas native displayed excellent composure, maneuvering between two defenders with his initial touch before unleashing a powerful strike into the near top corner. The goal marked McKennie's second in consecutive Champions League appearances, having also scored against FK Bodø/Glimt in November. Just six minutes later, Jonathan David sealed the victory with a textbook counterattacking finish, converting after receiving a first-time pass from Kenan Yildiz. David's goal was his 12th in Champions League competition, making him Canada's all-time leading scorer in the tournament.
The victory represents Juventus' first winning streak in the Champions League since the opening two matches of last season. More importantly, it positions them just one point away from securing a seeded playoff spot in the knockout phase, which would grant them home advantage for the second leg of their playoff matchup. McKennie's consistent performances under manager Luciano Spalletti have sparked renewed contract discussions, despite previous negotiations stalling earlier in the campaign. The 27-year-old has started every match since Spalletti took charge on November 1st, making him an increasingly vital component of the squad's plans heading into 2026. Juventus returns to Serie A action Sunday against Bologna, currently sitting seventh in the domestic table.
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