Ronaldo opens account with brace in Juve triumph

CRISTIANO Ronaldo scored his first competitive goals for Juventus on Sunday, with a second-half double that ensured a 2-1 win over Sassuolo to make it four victories from as many Serie A games.

But there was controversy in Turin as Juve winger Douglas Costa was sent off after being caught on camera spitting at Sassuolo’s Federico Di Francesco.

Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo, who arrived amid great pomp and ceremony following a 100-million-euro (US$117 million) deal from Real Madrid, tapped in from barely a yard out after a goalmouth scramble on 50 minutes.

The 33-year-old added a second 15 minutes later following a counter-attack orchestrated by Emre Can as the defending seven-time Italian champions moved three points clear of Napoli.

“I’m happy. I worked hard and I knew that the goals would come,” said Ronaldo. “I thank my teammates who really helped me adapt to Italian football.”

Ronaldo — Real Madrid’s record all-time goalscorer — showed his frustration, however, kicking the post as he missed two more chances.

“This is football. The important thing is that the team wins. I was a little tense with all the talk after my move from Real Madrid and not scoring, so there were a lot of expectations, but I thank my teammates for supporting me throughout.”

Senegalese striker Khouma Babacar headed in a consolation goal for Sassuolo in injury time as the side from Modena fell to their first defeat of the season.

Costa later apologized for his late red card for elbowing and spitting at Di Francesco — the 24-year-old son of Roma coach Eusebio Di Francesco.

“I would like to apologize to all the Juventus fans for my wrong reaction during today’s game,” said Costa on Instagram. “I also apologize to my teammates, who are always by my side, in good and bad times. It was ugly, I am aware of that and I apologize to everyone for that.”

Juventus are the only unbeaten side after Napoli inflicted a first loss on Fiorentina with a 1-0 win. Sassuolo are third with seven points.

Roma’s confidence was dented as bottom club Chievo came from two goals down to snatch a 2-2 draw at the Stadio Olimpico. Stephan El Shaarawy and Bryan Cristante put Roma firmly in command at halftime. But Chievo, on minus points after being deducted three points by the Italian football federation for false accounting, battled back in the second half.

Valter Birsa pulled a goal back in the 52nd minute, with Polish striker Mariusz Stepinski sealing a point for the club from Verona seven minutes from time.

Roma are ninth with five points from four games — already seven points adrift of Juventus — and also behind city rivals Lazio who won at Empoli with Marco Parolo scoring the only goal.

On-loan Juventus forward Gonzalo Higuain scored his first goal for AC Milan on 55 minutes to snatch a 1-1 draw at Cagliari, after Joao Pedro had opened the scoring for the hosts. 8am American Football, NFL, Seattle Seahawks vs Chicago Bears

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