GONZALO HIGUAIN cost an Italian record £75million to bring the Champions League to Juventus.
The Argentina hitman all but took the Bianconeri to the final in Cardiff with a decisive double.
Gonzalo Higuain bagged a brace to help put Juventus in the driving seat in their semi-final against MonacoA player that Arsenal could have had for £32m four years ago when Arsene Wenger — in his wisdom — allowed him to go to Napoli as he was too expensive.
The former Real Madrid ace hit a record-equalling 36 goals in 35 Serie A matches last season for Napoli before sealing a controversial switch to Juve.
And last night in Monte Carlo he delivered.
Higuain, 29, said: “I fight so hard for these moments. I’m delighted with the goals but this isn’t over yet.
“Goals were not coming for me in this competition but I knew I just had to stay calm and keep working hard.
“We also wanted another clean sheet and we are delighted with the result.”
On the big stage, in the biggest match for Juventus, their investment paid off.
Talking of astute signings — Arsene please take note. You too, Pep Guardiola.
Dani Alves joined Juve for FREE last summer from Barcelona. And the Brazilian legend provided both assists to Higuain.
That is how you make a side. By signing BIG. And SMART.
Alves was sensational and you wonder why no one in the Premier League thought of nabbing him last summer.
He was key in Pep’s years of success at the Nou Camp.
"Competition winner" ️ lethal striker
How Gonzalo Higuaín's evening gradually got better and better… pic.twitter.com/zvHO5melLn
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) May 3, 2017
Gonzalo Higuian was found unmarked in the box by a brilliant backheel from Dani Alves
Juventus have not conceded a goal in the knockout stages yet, including against Porto and Lionel Messi’s Barca.
It is now ten hours and 24 minutes since they allowed a Champions League goal.
You would put your house on them making the final now.
Even though Monaco did enough to score at least one goal here.
Two of Europe’s brightest stars were on display last night.
Monaco’s Kylian Mbappe, 18, and Juve sensation Paulo Dybala, 22.
Dybala delivered. Mbappe showed enough in the biggest game of his young life to prove he is a future superstar — although maybe not at the £110m price tag Monaco have slapped on him.
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Gonzalo Higuain poked home his second from another Dani Alves crossUp against Juve’s BBC — Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini, he was a constant threat.
But he also came up against the greatest goalkeeper of all time, Gigi Buffon.
He made a string of stunning saves to keep Mbappe silent.
Leonardo Jardim’s side play this most expansive cobra-like brand of football.
Blink and they have a chance. Once they settled their nerves it was a Monaco monologue.
Buffon denied Mbappe twice in the first 20 minutes, blocking a header and a close-range shot.
In the 29th minute Higuain decided it was time.
He fed Alves on the right and the Brazilian back-heeled a return to the striker, who flashed it past Danijel Subasic.
Higuain jumped the hoardings and went straight to the 1,000-plus tifosi who made the 2½ hour trek from Turin.
Bernardo Silva then fed Radamel Falcao just after the restart but the Colombian’s blast went straight at Buffon.
The keeper then dived at Mbappe’s feet and patted the head of the 18-year-old, before blocking Silva’s long-range missile.
But Juve are, well, Juve.
Dybala dispossessed Tiemoue Bakayoko and fed Alves, who crossed for Higuain to slot home.
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