Nantes 0-3 Juventus: Angel Di Maria scores hat-trick as Max Allegri's side ease into Europa League last 16

Juventus beat Nantes 3-0 (4-1 on aggregate) thanks to an Angel Di Maria hat-trick and are through to the UEFA Europa League Round of 16. It was the perfect start for Massimiliano Allegri's side who took the lead after just five minutes. Nicolo Fagioli played the ball out to Di Maria who curled a stunning strike into the top corner.

It was a goal of the highest calibre and exactly what Juventus needed to settle the nerves. Ad Less than 15 minutes later Nantes were dealt another crushing blow, defender Nicolas Pallois was sent off for handball and Juventus had a penalty. Di Maria slalomed down the right-hand side before jinking past the goalkeeper and flicking an effort towards goal which struck Pallois' arm.

TransfersBarcelona and Atletico Madrid to battle for Juventus midfielder Di Maria — Paper Round20/02/2023 AT 06:14 Di Maria stepped up to calmly fire home his and Juve's second goal of the evening and put his side in cruise control. The Bianconeri went close to going 3-0 up on the brink of half time when Filip Kostic rifled an effort across the goal which cannoned back off the post. Juventus missed a hatful of chances in the second half, with Nantes goalkeeper Alban Lafont coming up with a couple of superb saves, first to deny Juan Cuadrado and then one to keep out Alex Sandro's effort.

Allegri's side finally got their third and final goal after 79 minutes when Di Maria headed home at the back post to complete his hat-trick. Lafont looked to have clawed the ball back into play but the referee pointed to his watch to indicate the ball had indeed crossed the line and Juventus had booked their place in the next round. Nantes pushed forward in search of a late goal to make things interesting but it was too little too late