Cristiano Ronaldo off the mark for Juventus with two goals

Cristiano Ronaldo is up and running for Juventus after ending the wait for his first Serie A goals by scoring a brace against Sassuolo.

Although Juve have won their first three games and led Serie A with nine points heading into Sunday’s match, five-time World Player of the Year Ronaldo had yet to hit the back of the net since his move from Real Madrid in July.

However, Ronaldo was clinical for the Italian champions as he turned the ball into the net from close range to give Juve a 1-0 lead in the 50th minute.

A Sassuolo defender headed the ball against his own post, and the rebound left the Portugal forward with an empty net to open his account for the Old Lady.

But Ronaldo was not done there, as he added a second 15 minutes later by drilling a low effort into the far corner.

There was late drama as Khouma Babacar pulled a goal back for Sassuolo before Douglas Costa was sent off, but Juve held on for a 2-1 win.

The goals will come as a relief to Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri, who had stuck his neck out ahead of the match and predicted that Ronaldo would find the net against Sassuolo.

Additional reporting by Reuters.