Juventus teammates Timothy Weah (L) and Weston McKennie celebrate a goal against Manchester City in a Champions League match Wednesday at Allianz Stadium in Turin, Italy. Photo by Alessandro Di Marco/EPA-EFE
Timothy Weah curled a cross to Weston McKennie, who buried a shot to help the duo become the first Americans to combine for a Champions League goal, while leading Juventus past Manchester City.
The historic score occurred in the 75th minute of the 2-0 win Wednesday at Allianz Stadium in Turin, Italy. They entered the match as 69th-minute midfield substitutes. Advertisement
“It was definitely a big moment for the team, with the situation that we’ve been in,” McKennie said on the CBS Sports broadcast. “We talked about it. We just wanted to come out here and give the best that we could.
“We knew it was going to be a difficult game.”
Scored in Torino, made in America!
Juve's #USMNT duo combine for a goal to remember as Tim Weah sets up Weston McKennie pic.twitter.com/ZaZsL3u7jY— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) December 11, 2024
McKennie carried the ball over midfield and fired a pass to his right, smacking the ball over defenders and leading Weah into the box.
Weah took a few touches and had an initial pass blocked. He then spotted McKennie making a far-post run and bent a lofted pass toward his United States Men’s National Team teammate. Advertisement
McKennie then slowed his run and waited for the feed. He finished the play with a scissor kick into the left side of the net, beating Sky Blues goalie Ederson.
Kenan Yildiz assisted Dusan Vlahovic for Juventus’ first goal in the 53rd minute.
Juventus is now 4-1-2 and sits in 14th place through six games in the Champions League’s league phase. The Sky Blues (2-2-2) sit in 22nd place. Under the new Champions League format, the top 8 teams through the eight league phase games will automatically qualify for the Round of 16.
Teams that finish from 9th to 24th place will compete in a two-legged knockout phase playoff, while teams that finish 25th or worse are eliminated.
“We defended well, without conceding space, and struck at key moments,” Juventus manager Thiago Motta told reporters. “It was a great performance from everyone, even those who came on later in the game, they contributed when called upon.
“McKennie, for example, had a great game: he has a unique mix of physical and technical qualities that allow him to be dangerous in the final third. We’re fortunate to have players like that. This was a great night, but every game is different.” Advertisement
Juventus will host Venezia in an Italian Serie A match on Saturday in Turin. They will battle Club Grugge in another Champions League match Jan. 21 in Bruges, Belgium.
The Sky Blues will host rival Manchester United in a Premier League match Sunday in Manchester, England. They will take on Paris Saint-Germain in another Champions League match Jan. 22 in Paris.
