Juventus began their Champions League campaign with an emphatic 3-1 victory over PSV Eindhoven at Allianz Stadium. A dominant first-half display, highlighted by a stunning goal from Kenan Yildiz, gave Juventus the foundation they needed to comfortably dispatch the Dutch side. Goals from Weston McKennie and Nicolas Gonzalez sealed the win for Thiago Motta’s team, although PSV grabbed a late consolation through Ismael Saibari.
Yildiz Breaks Del Piero’s Record with Stunning Opener
Juventus’ 19-year-old sensation Kenan Yildiz etched his name in the club’s history books with a remarkable goal to open the scoring in the 21st minute. The young forward, who joined Juventus’ senior squad this season, marked the occasion with a powerful, curling effort from the edge of the box that left PSV goalkeeper Joel Drommel with no chance. The ball cannoned in off the post, sending the home fans into raptures and giving Juventus a deserved lead.
Yildiz’s strike not only gave Juventus an early advantage but also saw him break a long-standing record held by club legend Alessandro Del Piero. At 19 years old, Yildiz became the youngest Juventus player to score in the Champions League, surpassing Del Piero’s mark set in the 1990s. The teenager’s goal provided a glimpse of his immense talent and served as a momentous start to his career at Europe’s elite level.
Juventus Dominates First Half with Quick-Fire Goals
Buoyed by Yildiz’s opener, Juventus quickly seized control of the match. The home side’s relentless pressure and incisive passing caused problems for PSV’s defense, and it didn’t take long for Juventus to extend their lead. Just six minutes after the opening goal, Juventus doubled their advantage through Weston McKennie.
The United States international, who had recently returned to Juventus after a loan spell with Leeds United, slotted home a first-time finish from close range. The goal was a result of some excellent build-up play, with Juve’s midfield orchestrating a well-crafted move that left McKennie in space inside the box. He made no mistake, calmly placing the ball beyond Drommel to give Juventus a commanding 2-0 lead.
The two quick goals gave Juventus a comfortable cushion, allowing them to dictate the tempo for the remainder of the first half. PSV, on the other hand, struggled to create meaningful opportunities, with their best moments coming from speculative long-range efforts that were comfortably dealt with by the Juventus defense.
Second Half Sees Juve Extend Their Lead
Juventus continued their dominance into the second half, and it didn’t take long for them to add a third goal. Six minutes after the restart, Dusan Vlahovic, who had been quiet for much of the first half, provided a moment of brilliance to set up Nicolas Gonzalez for Juve’s third.
Vlahovic, picking up the ball on the right wing, delivered a perfectly weighted pass across the box to find Gonzalez. The Argentine winger controlled the ball with one touch before smashing a low shot past Drommel to score his first goal for Juventus under new manager Thiago Motta. Gonzalez’s strike effectively ended the contest, giving Juventus a 3-0 lead and leaving PSV with little hope of a comeback.
PSV Grabs Late Consolation
PSV Eindhoven, who had struggled for much of the game, eventually found a way through Juventus’ defense in the dying moments of the match. In stoppage time, substitute Johan Bakayoko delivered a fine pass to Ismael Saibari, who calmly slotted the ball past Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny to pull one back for the Dutch champions.
Saibari’s late strike provided a small consolation for PSV, but it did little to change the overall complexion of the game. Juventus had been the superior side throughout and deservedly walked away with all three points.
Motta Praises Juventus’ Performance
After the match, Juventus manager Thiago Motta expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance. “We played with great intensity and discipline,” Motta said. “The early goals gave us control, and I’m especially pleased with the way we managed the game in the second half. The players were focused and executed our game plan perfectly.”
Motta also praised young star Kenan Yildiz for his historic goal, stating, “Kenan is a special talent, and his goal today was a moment of brilliance. It’s not easy to break records at a club like Juventus, and he deserves all the credit for his performance.”
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