Brilliant late strikes from Leonardo Bonucci and Mario Mandzukic secured injury-hit Juventus' passage to the Champions League knockout phase with a dramatic 3-1 win at 10-man Sevilla on Tuesday.
Sevilla could have secured top spot in Group H for themselves with three points, but their indiscipline counted against them as the persistent Italians clinched the win in the final 10 minutes thanks to Bonucci and Mandzukic.
Jorge Sampaoli's men began with great intensity and looked set to give Juve a torrid time after Nico Pareja's coolly taken early opener, but things soon turned sour.
Creator-in-chief Franco Vazquez picked up two needless yellow cards to earn his dismissal nine minutes before the break and then Claudio Marchisio struck from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time – the first time Sevilla had conceded in this season's competition.
Sevilla's situation forced them to adopt a more defensive approach after the break and they had generally equipped themselves well, despite the visitors becoming the dominant force in possession.
But Juve ensured their efforts did not go to waste, as Bonucci struck with six minutes to go and Mandzukic wrapped things up at the death to see Massimiliano Allegri's men through, while Sevilla still need to finish the job in the final match against Lyon.
After playing for a 0-0 draw in Turin in September, Sampaoli warned Juve before the match that his side were going to be far more menacing in attack this time around and the players certainly seemed to be on a similar wave length early on.
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