McKennie's Third Goal in Three

Midfielder Notched His Third Goal in Three Champions League Matches in Win Over Benfica

Weston McKennie extended his remarkable Champions League scoring streak Wednesday, netting Juventus's second goal in a crucial 2-0 victory over Benfica that revived the Italian side's hopes of advancing from the league phase. The American midfielder's 64th-minute strike marked his third consecutive goal in Europe's elite competition, matching Federico Chiesa's feat from November 2021 as the last Juventus player to accomplish that milestone.

The USMNT international has transformed himself into Juventus's joint-top scorer in this year's Champions League, having previously found the net against Pafos and Bodo/Glimt. His goal against Benfica showcased the intelligent movement and clinical finishing that has become his hallmark this season, as he brilliantly exchanged passes with Jonathan David just inside the penalty area before calmly slotting past goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin.

Manager Luciano Spalletti praised McKennie's anticipation, noting, "He's a player who reads where the ball can go ahead of time. He has these qualities, with finishing potential that can grow even further." UEFA Technical Observer Aitor Karanka highlighted how McKennie's tactical adjustment proved decisive, explaining that the midfielder "started to move more between the lines" after initially beginning on the right wing in Spalletti's 4-2-3-1 formation.

McKennie's impressive performance featured 90 minutes of play, two shots on target from two attempts, 82% passing accuracy (27 successful passes from 33 attempts), and two chances created.

The victory moved Juventus from 17th to 15th place in the league phase standings, positioning them just one point outside automatic qualification to the knockout rounds. For McKennie, who has added two Serie A goals to his European tally this season, the timing couldn't be better as he approaches free agency in 2026 while attracting interest from Atlético Madrid and clubs across Europe, all while cementing his place in Mauricio Pochettino's USMNT plans ahead of this summer's World Cup.