Juventus vs. Real Madrid: Score and Grades from 2015 Champions League Semi-Final

Juventus stunned Real Madrid in their Champions League semi-final first leg as Carlos Tevez inspired his team to a 2-1 win on Tuesday night at the Juventus Stadium. 

Goals from Alvaro Morata and a penalty from the brilliant Argentinian were enough to give the Italian champions a solid advantage going into next week's second leg.

But Cristiano Ronaldo grabbed a vital away goal for the visitors, setting up a fascinating return. 

Madrid started the match with Sergio Ramos in midfield in order to limit Juve's attacking threat, while the Old Lady included 22-year-old Stefano Sturaro in a surprise tactical pick.

Juventus took control from the opening minutes, pushing Real Madrid back and dictating the tempo of the match. And it was the Italian side who took the early lead through former Los Blancos starlet Morata.

Tevez's industry and work were rewarded as the Argentinian drove into the box before firing a shot on goal. Iker Casillas saved the attacker's powerful effort, but Morata got to the rebound first and fired home.

Prior to that strike, Morata had failed to score during all of April, as highlighted by WhoScored.com:

Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

BBC Radio 5 Live's Pat Nevin also called the action as Morata scored, with the striker conflicted by the effort against his former team:   

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Real's players were claiming for offside but the English officials have got that right. The ball that was played in found Carlos Tevez in such a great position - no-one picked him up. Tevez had acres of space, and Alvaro Morata, the pain of trying not to celebrate was etched on his face. He was trying to be cool about it but he must be bursting inside.

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Bleacher Report's Matteo Bonetti congratulated Tevez on his part in the goal:

But Madrid sprung into life after conceding the goal. It appeared Juve were happy to allow Los Blancos territory, content to soak up the pressure and form counter-attacks, as described by football writer Michael Cox:

Michael Regan/Getty Images

Madrid's growing presence in the game eventually manifested itself in an equaliser, as Ronaldo scored from close range in the 27th minute to level the match. James Rodriguez expertly lifted the ball to the far post, leaving Ronaldo with an open goal to aim at. 

ESPN's Paul Carr and Squawka.com both noted that CR7 passed Barcelona's Lionel Messi as the highest all-time goalscorer in the Champions League:

James smashed a header against the bar late in the first half in an opportunity he should have converted. Both teams were happy with level terms as they made their way to the dressing rooms at half-time.

The second half started at a much more sedate pace, with the home team keen to keep possession and resist a negative final score.

But they were pleasantly surprised when they once again picked the lock of the Madrid defence and won a penalty in the 56th minute.

The brilliant Tevez was once again Madrid's tormentor. Real right-back Dani Carvajal brought down the former Manchester United player after a swift Juve counter-attack.

The striker picked himself up and made no mistake from the spot to put Juve 2-1 up. The Football Collective captured the moment and celebration on social media:

Madrid increased the pressure on their hosts, desperate to grab another equaliser, but the threat of a Juve breakaway was always present.

Ronaldo and Toni Kroos both went close with efforts, thought the game started to slip away from the Spanish giants.

Gareth Bale made his presence felt as the Old Lady sat back in numbers, but the Welshman struggled to find his best creative form.

The heroic Giorgio Chiellini, who stopped much of Madrid's good attacking work, suffered a cut midway through the half. But the team bandaged him up, and he continued to play in order to preserve the victory

Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

And with the game ticking to its conclusion, Los Blancos dominated the ball as they hunted for an opening. Javier Hernandez took a heavy fall in the box in an attempt to win a penalty, but the official waved away the incident. 

Tevez was substituted off to heroic cheers on 85 minutes, having worked tirelessly in his usual electric manner. His replacement, Fernando Llorente, almost punished the Galacticos as they flooded forward. The Spanish striker rounded Casillas on the break but was unable to find a shot or pass. 

Juve saw out the remaining time like an old-fashioned Italian defensive unit, always strong in possession and frustrating their opponents until the final whistle.

The Serie A champions take a precious one-goal advantage to the Bernabeu for the second leg, but Madrid have the vital away goal. 

Relevant Player Grades

Carlos Tevez: A-

Michael Regan/Getty Images

The Argentinian was a great player during his years in South America and the Premier League, but he has become more dangerous during his time in Turin. On Tuesday night, the player terrorised the Madrid defence, and his involvement will be key in the second leg.

Cristiano Ronaldo: C+

It was a difficult night for the Portuguese kingpin, but he still managed to convert his chance when given the opening. Ronaldo's goal record speaks for itself, and Madrid will not retain their title without a huge effort from CR7.

Gareth Bale: D

It was a tale of two halves for the Welshman, who failed to make an impact in the opening period but recovered in the second half to help push his team forward.

Post-Match Reaction

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti was disappointed with his team's performance and defeat, but relieved Los Blancos gained a vital away goal, per RMadridHome:

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Ancelotti: "We could've played better but the away goal gives us confidence to pay better in the return leg."

— RMadridHome (@RMadridHome) May 5, 2015"

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Ancelotti: "We left too much space in the back, and we lacked precision in front of goal too."

— RMadridHome (@RMadridHome) May 5, 2015"

Juve manager Massimiliano Allegri was delighted when he spoke with Sky Sports Italia. He was pleased with the effort his team showed and believed his side were deserved winners, per Football-Italia.net:

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I am very happy with what the lads did. This is the right reward that they deserved, as it’s not easy to reach the Champions League semi-final and especially to play against Real Madrid. We played with great intensity and allowed Real Madrid very little, but could’ve done better in the pace of creating our play in the first half.

It’s a shame, as we could’ve done better with the Llorente chance, but I’d have been happy beforehand to get a win over Real Madrid. Now we can prepare for a week and can fight it out in Madrid.

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The second leg takes place in Madrid on May 13, with the Galacticos hoping they can reverse their first-leg deficit.