Juventus defeated Real Madrid 2-1 on Tuesday in the first leg of their Champions League Semifinals tie in Turin.

With significant space to operate, Juventus began the match at a frenetic pace and had several promising opportunities before Alvaro Morata scored in the eighth minute. Morata tapped in the goal following a Carlos Tevez shot that was batted lightly by Iker Casillas.

It took Real Madrid another 15 minutes to settle in before James Rodriguez found Cristiano Ronaldo on a header in the 27th minute to level the match at 1-1. Real Madrid was patiently trying to unlock Juventus in the build-up and a somewhat innocuous series of possession suddenly gave James the space he needed to create an outstanding goal.

Real Madrid nearly scored a go-ahead goal in the final minutes of the first half when Isco set a cross from just inside the area on the left to James directly in front of goal. James somehow missed the back of the net and headed the ball off the crossbar in what was their best opportunity for a second goal. 

Juventus took the lead in the 56th minute when Real Madrid pushed forward for a corner that was headed out and triggered a 2 v. 2 counterattack featuring Morata and Tevez. Marcelo tripped up Morata as the ball was pushed forward to Tevez and he was tackled by Dani Carvajal for a penalty kick. Tevez beat Casillas easily to give Juve a 2-1 lead.

Arturo Vidal was brilliant throughout the match for Juventus, physically imposing his will upon the match.

Real Madrid had a few additional chances for a second goal, but were unable to break through as playing without Luka Modric and Karim Benzema has made Carlo Ancelotti's side look incoherent and less than the sum of their remaining superstar parts.