Pro Sports

Juventus beats Lokomotiv to qualify from Champs League group

Posted November 06, 2019 6:00 am

The Associated Press

Juventus' Douglas Costa, left, runs to score his side's second goal during the Champions League Group D soccer match between Lokomotiv Moscow and Juventus at the Lokomotiv Stadium in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin) The Associated Press

MOSCOW (AP) - Douglas Costa scored the winning goal in the 93rd minute to send Juventus through to the Champions League knockout stages with a 2-1 win over Lokomotiv Moscow on Wednesday.

The Russian club leveled after Juventus took an early lead and looked headed for a point before a moment of individual brilliance from Douglas Costa.

The Brazilian picked up the ball on the left flank and cut inside past three defenders. He then played a one-two with Gonzalo Higuain, dodged two more Lokomotiv players and knocked the ball through goalkeeper Guilherme's legs.

Juventus' substitutes came onto the pitch to celebrate as Douglas Costa pulled off his shirt. It was his first goal of the season after a long absence with a muscle injury.

"This was a really important game because I have been out for a long time but I have come back and helped the team," said Douglas Costa, who was a 70th-minute substitute.

The goal ensured Juventus qualified from Group D with two games to spare.

With seven changes from Saturday's derby win over Torino, Juventus took the lead with its 300th Champions League goal in confusing circumstances in the fourth minute.

Cristiano Ronaldo curled in a free kick from the left flank and Lokomotiv goalkeeper Guilherme let the wet ball slip through his hands. As it rolled over the line, Aaron Ramsey poked it into the net. UEFA credited Ramsey as the scorer.

Juventus' lead lasted just eight minutes before Alexei Miranchuk leveled for Lokomotiv, knocking in the rebound after his header hit the post.

Guilherme made a string of good saves to keep Lokomotiv in the game, making up for his earlier blunder before Douglas Costa scored the winner.

Atletico Madrid plays Bayer Leverkusen in Group D's other game later Wednesday.

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Juventus' Douglas Costa, right, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Champions League Group D soccer match between Lokomotiv Moscow and Juventus at the Lokomotiv Stadium in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko) The Associated Press

Lokomotiv's Vedran Corluka, left, fights for the ball with Juventus' Paulo Dybala during the Champions League Group D soccer match between Lokomotiv Moscow and Juventus at the Lokomotiv Stadium in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin) The Associated Press

Juventus' Daniele Rugani, right, fights for the ball with Lokomotiv's Eder during the Champions League Group D soccer match between Lokomotiv Moscow and Juventus at the Lokomotiv Stadium in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin) The Associated Press

Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during the Champions League Group D soccer match between Lokomotiv Moscow and Juventus at the Lokomotiv Stadium in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin) The Associated Press

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