FOOTBALL – JUVENTUS made a commanding start to their Uefa Europa League campaign with a 5-0 demolition of NEC Nijmegen, extending their remarkable unbeaten home record in the competition dating back to 1999.
Celtic endured another difficult night as Ferencvaros secured a 3-1 victory at Parkhead, just days after the Scottish champions suffered a heavy defeat by Rangers.
The Italian side Juventus, eager to respond after suffering a surprise 3-2 defeat by Sassuolo at the weekend, needed just nine minutes to take control.
NEC goalkeeper Nikolas Polster gifted Juventus the opener when he raced from his area to meet a long ball but failed to reach it ahead of Nico Gonzalez. The Argentine made no mistake with the goal at his mercy, calmly finishing into an empty net.
The visitors briefly threatened an equaliser when Noe Lebreton created space inside the penalty area and unleashed a powerful effort, only for Juventus goalkeeper to keep it out.
Juventus soon regained control and went close through Nick Woltemade, who was denied by Polster.
The NEC goalkeeper could do little moments later, however, when Kerim Alajbegovic produced a superb 20-yard strike that flew into the top corner to double the hosts’ advantage.
The contest was effectively settled in the 35th minute when Juventus were awarded a penalty after Almugera Kabar brought down Gonzalez in the box. Woltemade stepped up and confidently converted from the spot to make it 3-0.