Juventus strike early to defeat Spurs in Australia

Tottenham defenders punished again

MELBOURNE, July 26, (AFP): Italian champions Juventus scored two early goals and held off a strong finish to down Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 in the International Champions Cup in Melbourne on Tuesday.

The Turin giants, who won a fifth consecutive Serie A championship this season, struck early through Paulo Dybala and Medhi Benatia to lead 2-0 at half-time.

Argentinian star Erik Lamela sparked a Spurs comeback when he came on for the second half, scoring a goal and almost grabbing another.

“It was a good test against one of the toughest teams in next season’s Champions League,” said Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri.

Spurs paid dearly early on for failing to clear the ball when defender Dominic Ball lost possession and Roberto Pereyra picked out fellow Argentinian Dybala.

Dybala went one-on-one with Dutch goalkeeper Michel Vorm and found the bottom corner in just the sixth minute. The Spurs defenders were punished again when they failed to clear a corner and Moroccan Benatia headed home eight minutes later.

Juventus’ Alberto Cerri (center), fights for the ball with Tottenham Hotspur’s Kieran Trippier (right), and Michel Vorm (left), during the International Champions Cup football match between Italy’s Serie A team Juventus and Premier League team

Tottenham Hotspur in Melbourne on July 26. (AFP)