The last fixture of the UEFA Champions’ League group stage game between Juventus and Barcelona was an intriguing contest. It was a battle for the top spot in Group G. It also gave us another edition of the Ronaldo vs Messi ‘battle’.
Juventus got their payback and did it at the right moment when they beat the Catalan side 3-0 on Tuesday night.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice from the penalty spot and a goal from Weston Mckennie sealed the win that saw Juve top the group.
Barca just needed to avoid defeat by a margin of three goals to top the group but defensive woes cost Ronald Koeman’s men once again.
Juventus got their first goal of the evening from a controversial penalty kick just 13 minutes from a foul on Ronaldo before Mckennie added to the tally minutes later with a brilliant goal to go with.
Ronaldo then made it 3-0 through another penalty after a hand-ball by Lenglet in the second half to complete the dominate scoreline.
Ronald Koeman’s team were so predictable in attack, didn’t threaten as expected with all shots going straight at Buffon.
Barca still look largely over-dependent on their talisman Messi. He had 11 shots, seven of which were on target but none ever really looked to be going in.
Barca’s loss now sees them enter the draw as a group runner-up, the first time they did so since 2006.
Juventus would now be expecting a favorable knockout stages draw after leading the way in Group G.
