Cristiano Ronaldo 32 Minutes Hat-trick Keeps Juventus In Seria A Title Race
Cristiano Ronaldo hit back at all of those who criticised him after Juventus’ Champions League elimination with a 30 minute hat-trick as the Italian champions won comfortably away at Cagliari on Sunday.
The Portuguese started early, and went on to add two more in relatively quick succession, leaving Giovanni Simeone’s second half strike to be no more than a consolation.
With just 10 minutes played, the forward sent a powerful header past Alessio Cragno in the Cagliari goal.
Alvaro Morata should have made it 2-0, but missed a glaring opportunity from right in front of goal.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s second proved more controversial. He dangled a leg as Cragno attempted to gather the ball and caught the goalkeeper in the face, leaving him with a facial injury that needed patching up. But he stayed on the pitch and was able to convert a penalty awarded around 10 minutes later.
There could be no questioning his third though. Afforded some space on the edge of the area, he shifted the ball onto his left foot and fired into the top corner.
Diego Simeone’s son, Giovanni, did pull one back for Casteddu in the second half but it did little to trouble the outcome.
Juventus stay third in Serie A and put pressure on AC Milan ahead of their game against Napoli on Sunday night.
