Weston McKennie scores in second-consecutive match for Juventus

Juventus’ quest of reaching the UEFA Champions League knockout stage ended on Tuesday in Portugal, but Weston McKennie delivered his second-consecutive goalscoring performance to continue his impressive run of form.

McKennie scored for the second time in four days as Juventus fell 4-3 at Benfica on Tuesday evening. The U.S. men’s national team midfielder started and played 90 minutes, picking up a rebound late in the second half to tally his third goal in all competitions this season.

After racing out to a 4-1 advantage through 50 minutes, Benfica endured a worrying spell in the final period of the match. Arkadiusz Milik’s goal in the 77th minute cut Juventus’ deficit to 4-2 before McKennie trimmed the deficit once again just two minutes later.

Benfica goalkeeper Odisseas Vlachodimos failed to deal with Samuel Iling-Junior’s cross, allowing McKennie the opportunity to flick home a rebound in the box. It was McKennie’s fourth-career Champions League goal and his 18th overall between his time at Juventus and Schalke.

However, Juventus could not rally late and eventually was eliminated from advancement into the Round of 16. McKennie won two of his six duels, made two interceptions, and completed 85% of his passes (28/33) in the defeat.

Juventus will try and rebound on Saturday as it travels to Lecce in Serie A action before hosting Paris Saint-Germain in its UCL finale.