PSV beat Juventus in extra time to reach Champions League last 16

Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven battled into the last 16 of the Champions League Wednesday, after a pulsating 3-1 extra-time win over Juventus gave them a 4-3 aggregate play-off victory.

Centre-back Ryan Flamingo seized on some poor Juventus defending to poke the ball home in the first period of extra time, sending PSV through to face either Arsenal or Inter Milan.

“Everyone gave it their all today,” said PSV captain and talismanic striker Luuk de Jong.

“We had our backs up against the wall but we kept pushing and we deserved to make it 3-1. So that was great, just fantastic,” added the 34-year-old.

Roared on by a boisterous crowd at the Philips Stadion, the hosts started the brighter, pressing the Juventus defence, dominating possession, and winning 50-50 balls.

But the first half ended goalless, PSV unable to turn possession into opportunity and Juventus happy to sit on their 2-1 lead from the first leg in Turin.

Needing a goal to stay in the tie, the home side attacked the second half with more urgency, and with 53 minutes on the clock, PSV were back in the tie with a magnificent goal.

Winger Noa Lang beat two Juventus defenders and delivered a pinpoint pass to veteran Croatian attacker Ivan Perisic, who controlled the ball brilliantly and drilled an unstoppable shot into the corner.

“That’s the type of player I am. I like it when there are a lot of guys in front of me, when I’m double-covered a bit,” said man-of-the-match Lang.

“I like that better than one-on-one. That may sound strange, but I like the bigger challenge.”

– ‘Unforgettable evening’ –

PSV were well on top, Lang curling a shot just past the post and De Jong seeing his header cleared off the line.

But against the run of play, the Serie A side took back the aggregate