Serie A
Result: Juventus 2-1 Sassulo
Date: 16 September 2018
Venue: Juventus Stadium
Click through the gallery to see images for the Old Lady's win over Sassuolo.
Juventus club-record signing Cristiano Ronaldo finally opened his account with a brace as the Serie A champions defeated Sassuolo on Sunday afternoon.
Ronaldo made his fourth straight start for the Old Lady as he went in search of his first goal club, while Paul Dybala was also included in the attack.
The host saw a lot of the ball in the opening exchanges, but Sassuolo did a great job of restricting their opponents to efforts from distance, none of which were threatening.
Juve had to wait until the 38th minute for their first meaningful opening as Joao Cancelo's cross was nearly deflected in by Sassuolo's Pol Lirola only for Andrea Consigli to produce a superb save.
That proved to be the final chance of the half as the sides went into the break level pegging.
Five minutes into the second half, the hosts broke the deadlock as Ronaldo finally opened his account with a simple finish from point-blank range.
The lead was doubled in the 65th minute as Ronaldo bagged his second of the game with a left-footed strike that left Consigli rooted to the ground.
Ronaldo could have completed his hat-trick with 12 minutes remaining but he fired wide of the upright with a first-time effort from close range, before he missed an even bigger sitter two minutes later.
Sassuolo did pull a goal back in second-half stoppage time, with Khouma Babacar heading home, but it proved to be nothing more than a consolation as Juve hung on for the win.
The clash ended on a sour note as Douglas Costa was shown a straight a red for an incident off the ball.
