Juventus displaced Barcelona at the top of their Champions League group stage table thanks to a Cristiano Ronaldo double in between a Weston McKennie stunner.
The Old Lady capitalised on sloppy Barcelona display to hand themselves all three points and move above their hosts at the top of the table.
The home team who had been on a 100% winning record in the Champions League suffered to the most embarrassing night at home in Europe as Juventus became the first team to score 3+ goals against them.
With qualification sealed for either team, both managers announced a strong starting eleven with Messi who had been rested in the last two UCL ties taking to the field for his sixth UCL appearance against Ronaldo.
Though this tie was at Messi’s home, it was C. Ronaldo who stole the show, putting his side ahead in the 13th minute from the penalty spot. The Portuguese kept his cool to score his 16th goal in his last 21 appearances versus Barcelona in all competitions after being felled in the box by Araujo following a breakaway move.
The visitors continued to dominate after the goal and were ahead by two goals in the 20th minute through a stunning Weston McKennie goal. The American who started tonight’s game ahead of Adrien Rabiot following his goal-scoring cameo appearance in the weekend produced a wonderful acrobatic right-footed volley to double his side’s lead after being supplied by the excellent Juan Cuadrado.
With the first half progressing to a conclusion, the hosts looked to halving the deficit but continued to struggle to break down their visitors, who remained in shape at the back, ready to bounce on the counter.
Juventus were soon out of sight shortly after the break with Ronaldo on hand to score his second spot-kick after Lenglet had been adjudged to have handled in the area. Despite efforts by Barcelona, Juventus held on resolutely and claimed a famous win at the Nou Camp.
The result was able to see Juve climb above their Spanish counterparts into first place in the group.
Both teams will be looking at Monday’s draw to see who they are paired against in the knockout stage.
the hoists face Levante in the league this weekend while Juventus travel to Genoa in their next game.
