Cristian Pasquato scored in the first half and Juventus of Italy held off Club America 1-0 in a rain-delayed match in the World Football Challenge on Tuesday night at Citi Field.
Juventus played 15 minutes of the second half with 10 men after Claudio Marchisio hobbled off with a bruised left chin caused by a sliding tackle. There was no immediate word on the severity of his injury.
After three near-misses on crosses from the right wing, Juventus broke through in the 42nd minute. Mexican goalkeeper Armando Navarrete punched another cross to his right, directly to Pasquato 12 yards away and the forward sent the ball into the upper right corner.
Club America had a majority of possessions in the first half but could not crack Juventus' stifling defense. It got a few balls in the box after intermission, but Matias Vuoso's shot was saved and Joaquin Martinez's effort sailed high.
Earlier, Juventus' Alessandro Matri's flick facing away from the goal was barely wide.
Club America, with played a Mexican League games on Sunday, substituted six players at halftime and all 11 by the 79th minute.
Jagged lightning flashed beyond center field in the 27th minute. Five minutes later, with wind-lashed rain pelting down, referee Jorge Gonzalez cleared the field. The storm passed quickly and play resumed after a 38-minute delay. Play continued through a shorter downpour before the first half ended.
Juventus will face Chivas Guadalajara on Thursday. Club America meets Barcelona on Aug. 6.
