Ronaldo scores in Juve’s easy win
Udine (Italy), Oct. 7: Cristiano Ronaldo’s form doesn’t appear affected by a lawsuit accusing him of rape.
Ronaldo scored Juventus’ second goal in a 2-0 win at Udinese to extend the Bianconeri’s perfect start in Serie ‘A’ on Saturday.
Shortly before the break, Ronaldo blasted a powerful shot from 10 yards past Udinese goalkeeper Simone Scuffet.
Immediately after scoring, Ronaldo signaled for his teammates to give him some space so he could go celebrate in front of a TV camera, leaping into the air with an emphatic double fist pump.
The goal was met by a mix of applause and boos inside Dacia Arena.
Kathryn Mayorga filed a civil lawsuit last week in the U.S. saying she was raped by Ronaldo in Las Vegas in 2009. Police have also re-opened an investigation. Ronaldo has denied the accusation.
Rodrigo Betancur gave Juventus the lead four minutes earlier with a header that was confirmed by the VAR due to a possible offside.
Ronaldo also was involved in other chances, using his trademark stepover moves to befuddle defenders.
Also, Juve’s Joao Cancelo hit the crossbar in the closing minutes.
Juventus moved nine points clear of Napoli, which hosts Sassuolo on Sunday.
Roma won at Empoli 2-0 for its fourth straight victory in all competitions.
Steven Nzonzi and Edin Dzeko scored while Empoli missed a penalty.
Cagliari beat Bologna 2-0 with goals from Joao Pedro and Leonardo Pavoletti.
Portugal pm defends Cr7
Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa has spoken out in defence of soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been embroiled in a rape accusation.
Speaking to television on the Spanish island of Lanzarote on Saturday, Costa made an appeal to the presumption of innocence, as well as Ronaldo’s successful career.
“People need to understand one and for all that there’s one thing that is presumption of innocence,” Costa said.
“It is not enough for someone to be accused of something to be guilty of it.” — Agencies