TWO brilliant saves in a penalty shootout from Lawrence Thomas has handed Melbourne Victory a 4-3 win over Juventus in the opening game of the International Champions Cup at the MCG.

Carlos Blanco Moreno’s incredible goal from inside the centre-circle stole the show but a gallant Melbourne Victory hit back to secure a 1-1 draw over 90 minutes with the undermanned Serie A giant at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

All games in this tournament need to have a winner, and it was the A-League outfit who prevailed after Thomas saved off Roman Macek and Stefano Padovan in the shootout. Jai Ingham, Alan Baro, Scott Galloway and 16-year-old Sebastian Pasquali converted their shots after Carl Valeri saw his opening penalty saved.

While the 23, 174 crowd for the opening game of the second edition of the International Champions Cup at the MCG was disappointing, the contest, for a pre-season clash, was not.

But just before the hour mark, it craved a goal, and Moreno brought the game to life with an extraordinary strike from 45 metres out, fizzing a perfect shot to leave Lawrence Thomas stranded.

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Many rightfully bemoaned the number of stars not at the MCG, but the blooding of players like 20-year-old Spaniard Moreno is a reminder of the sheer depth and quality such European powerhouses possess.

Despite trailling, Kevin Muscat’s side had enjoyed chances of their own throughout the night, and his vibrant second-half substitutions were rewarded when Jai Ingham finished a superb passing move involving Carl Valeri and George Howard, that cut open Juve’s defence, with a cool finish to level proceedings in the 83rd minute.

While Juventus started the second-half brighter, with Alberto Cerri and Stefano Padovan coming close, Victory clawed their way back into it after going behind thanks to some second-half cameos. Pasquali added energy along with Ingham and Howard, who both enjoyed half chances of their own before the equaliser.

Despite the placid atmosphere, the game had a good tempo for a match so early in pre-season, and both sides searched for a late winner; Matia Vitale coming closest with a deflected shot that Thomas anxiously watched sail over.

Earlier, the sides went into the break level, with Victory ending the half with the moment of the opening 45 minutes. Debutant Mitch Austin had a fabulous debut and was the catalyst for this fine chance, bursting to the left byline to tee up Besart Berisha. The Albanian’s glancing header forced a fine reflex stop from Norberto Murara Neto from point blank range.

Pol Lirola of Juventus (right) tackles Mitchell Austin. Source: AAP

In the opening stanza, Victory’s best moments came when Oliver Bozanic broke up play in midfield to find Fahid ben Khalfallah or Austin early, because otherwise, they were faced with a well organised Juventus rearguard that often featured five men whenever they turned the ball over.

Paulo Dybala was pulling the strings, stretching Victory’s defence, linking particularly well with captain Kwadwo Asamoah, who was a handful with his footwork. When Juve upped the tempo at various intervals, their quality was on show.

But Victory stood up to the challenge, particularly with Nick Ansell making a couple of timely interventions.

Juventus' Paulo Dybala (L) and Melbourne Victory's Daniel Gerogievski. Source: AFP

Mario Lemina and Alberto Cerri were guilty of missing decent openings in the Victory box as a result of that positive build-up, while Daniele Rugani hit the woodwork with a first-time drive from the edge of the area.

Juventus started to assert themselves around the half hour mark, however, it was the hosts who ended the first-half with that golden chance.

Victory play Atletico Madrid in a friendly in Geelong on Sunday, while Juventus take on Tottenham Hotspur in game two on Tuesday night.

Audero of Juventus is challenged by George Howard. Source: Getty Images

THE MOMENT

Undoubtedly Moreno’s world class strike, which will make headlines around the globe and stake his claim for further inclusion in Massimilliano Allegri’s first-team squad.

THE STARS

Kevin Muscat will have loved what he saw from Mitch Austin on debut against such illustrious opponents, with a spirited display down the left while whipping some dangerous balls into the mix.

Paulo Dybla was the highest profile Juve player in Melbourne and in the first-half, he had the ball on a string.

THE TALKING POINT

23, 174 is well down on last year’s opening night attendance and created a flat atmosphere at the cavernous MCG.

Re-live the action in our live blog below.