Under-fire Ron on target in Juve win

UDINE, ITALY: Cristiano Ronaldo shrugged off damaging rape allegations to score for Juventus as the Italian champions beat Udinese 2-0 to stretch their lead at the top of Serie A on Saturday.

The Portuguese forward lashed in the second goal in the 37th minute from Mario Mandzukic’s pass, four minutes after Rodrigo Bentancur’s opener.

It was Ronaldo’s fourth goal this season for Juventus, with the 33-year-old celebrating wildly with his teammates.

Juventus — with a maximum 24 points from eight games — opened up a nine-point lead on second-placed Napoli who host Sassuolo on Sunday.

Ronaldo showed no sign of being under pressure despite the accusations made against him which threaten his multi-million euro sporting empire. US police on Monday re-opened an investigation into accusations by former American model Kathryn Mayorga that the five-time Ballon d’or winner raped her in a Las Vegas hotel in June 2009. Ronaldo has strenuously denied the claims, and Juventus have so far stood behind their superstar.

ALCACER HAT-TRICK KEEPS DORTMUND TOP

BERLIN: Borussia Dortmund substitute Paco Alcacer completed a hat trick with the last kick of the game as his team stayed unbeaten in the Bundesliga with a dramatic 4-3 win over Augsburg on Saturday.

The Spanish striker had twice drawn Dortmund level before Mario Goetze, another substitute, scored on his first league appearance of the season to make it 3-2 to Dortmund with six minutes remaining. Michael Gregoritsch replied for the visitors with a header from a corner for 3-3.

Dortmund’s final chance came from a free-kick, which Alcacer fired over the Augsburg wall and inside the right corner.

The win keeps Lucien Favre’s side top of the league going into the international break.