Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick as Juventus ran out 3-1 winners over Cagliari on Sunday evening at the Sardegna Arena.
RONALDO HAT-TRICK
The Bianconeri were looking to bounce back from their elimination from the Champions League, and they responded straightaway by opening the scoring in the 10th minute. Juan Cuadrado delivered in the cross from a corner, and it met Ronaldo who rose above everyone and nodded it into the back of the net. The Portuguese added a second to his tally 15 minutes later from the penalty spot, blasting past Cragno after he was brought down in the box by the goalkeeper. A hat-trick was then completed in the 32nd: Chiesa rolled the ball across the face of goal for an unmarked Ronaldo, who changed feet and blasted it into the top far corner. Alex Sandro had to be replaced by Bernardeschi due to an injury, while Marin saw his long-range free-kick sail into the arms of Szczesny.
CAGLIARI PULL ONE BACK
Into the second half and it was Cagliari who was laying on the early pressure, as both Duncan and Merin forced saves from Tek with their shots from range. The hosts got their goal in the 61st minute when Simeone sliced home from Zappa’s assist. Rabiot blasted over the bar from close range, while Gaston Pereiro saw his angled drive flash past the back post in the 85th minute. The final seconds of the game saw Juventus attempt a fourth goal when he went one-on-one only to be denied by Cragno from close range.
Juventus XI: Szczesny; Cuadrado (Frabotta 83’), de Ligt, Chiellini (Bonucci 70’), Alex Sandro (Bernardeschi 34’); Kulusevski, Danilo, Rabiot, Chiesa (Arthur 83’); Ronaldo, Morata (McKennie 70’)
Subs: Pinsoglio, Garofani, Di Pardo, Bonucci, Dragusin, Frabotta, Arthur, Fagioli, McKennie, Bernardeschi
Cagliari XI: Cragno; Ceppitelli, Godin, Rugani; Nandez, Marin, Duncan, Nainggolan, Zappa; Joao Pedro, Simeone