Angel Di Maria was the hat-trick hero to send Juventus into the Europa League Round of 16, with a stunning curler, penalty and header, also forcing the red card that sent Nantes down to 10 men.
The first leg ended 1-1, so with away goals no longer counting for double, it was all decided at the Stade de la Beaujoire. Federico Chiesa, Arkadiusz Milik, Paul Pogba and Fabio Miretti didn’t make the trip, while the hosts had Ignatius Ganago available again after compassionate leave.
It was the ideal start for the Bianconeri, because Nicolò Fagioli won it back in midfield and Angel Di Maria unleashed an astonishing strike into the far top corner from distance and a tricky angle.
Di Maria turned on the magic again when he dribbled past everyone at the by-line and attempted a back-heel flick that was going in from six yards until Nicolas Pallois lying on the ground charged it down with his arm. The referee opted for both a penalty and a straight red card, Di Maria converting to complete his first European brace since September 2019.
Di Maria seemed to be on fire back on French soil after his time at PSG and forced a flying save out of Alban Lafont from distance, then Adrien Rabiot nodded his cross over from six yards.
Filip Kostic’s pull-back from the by-line was intercepted before Kean could tap in, but Kostic went so close in first half stoppages when his angled drive thumped the base of the far post.
Di Maria and Kostic tested Lafont again, as did substitute Juan Cuadrado just moments after coming off the bench at the back stick.
Lafont did well to deny the Alex Sandro diving header from a corner routine, but Juventus did finally add the third in chaotic fashion and it was a Di Maria hat-trick.
Lafont and defenders charged down several attempts in the mad scramble, but Di Maria’s header at the back post had already crossed over the line before the save.
Nantes still threatened down to 10 men in the final minutes with Mohamed’s counter saved, a Guessand shot blocked and Wojciech Szczesny pushing a Blas screamer out from under the bar.
Nantes 0-3 Juventus (1-4 agg)
Di Maria 5, pen 20, 78 (J)
Sent off: Pallois 19 (N)
Player statistic
| 5' |  |
Ángel Di María (Assist: Nicolò Fagioli) | ||
| Nicolas Pallois |  |
17' | ||
| 20' |  |
Ángel Di María |
| 78' | |
Ángel Di María (Assist: Dusan Vlahovic) | ||
| Charles Traoré |  |
81' | ||
| 87' | |
Juan Cuadrado | ||
| Alban Lafont | |
90+4' |
Match statistic
