ROME, Italy -- Cristiano Ronaldo scored but wasteful Juventus had to settle for a 1-1 stalemate at home to Genoa, to end the Italian champions' perfect start to the season on Saturday. With eight Serie A wins and two in the Champions League Juve were all set to extend that fine run when Ronaldo put Massimiliano Allegri's men into a first-half lead. But Juve were made to pay for failing to convert a hatful of chances when Daniel Bessa headed in a second-half equaliser. Ronaldo, despite the turmoil of explosive rape allegations that surfaced before the international break, notched up his fifth goal for his new employers since his headline move from Real Madrid in the 18th minute, ironically helped by a mistake from Genoa's top-scoring Polish striker Krzysztof Piatek. A communications mix-up saw Piatek leave Joao Cancelo's blocked shot for his keeper, but the loose ball fell at Ronaldo's feet and he tapped in to an empty net. This was the 33-year-old's 400th career goal in Europe's top … [Read more...] about News Ronaldo celebrates landmark goal but Juve’s perfect run broken
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News Ronaldo set for Serie A debut amid sombre backdrop in Italy
Cristiano Ronaldo will make his much-anticipated Serie A debut for Juventus who open their campaign for an eighth straight Italian league title on Saturday against a sombre backdrop of a country in mourning following the Genoa bridge disaster. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner was the star signing of the summer season arriving amid great pomp and ceremony following a 100 million euro ($117 million) deal from Real Madrid. But it could be a low-key start for the 33-year-old Portuguese superstar against minnows Chievo in Verona's Stadio Bentegodi on Saturday on a day of national mourning for the victims of the Morandi bridge tradegy in the north-western port city. The emotional impact of the disaster has led to the postponement of Serie A games involving local teams Sampdoria and Genoa who had been due to open their campaigns against Fiorentina and AC Milan. But all other games will go ahead starting on Saturday -- the day of the 38 victims' funerals -- with last season's top two teams … [Read more...] about News Ronaldo set for Serie A debut amid sombre backdrop in Italy
News FIFA World Cup: Colombia win 3-0 to knock Poland out of World Cup
KAZAN, Russia - Goals from Yerry Mina, Radamel Falcao and Juan Cuadrado gave Colombia a convincing 3-0 win on Sunday against Poland, who were eliminated from contention at the World Cup before their last Group H match. Japan and Senegal, who both picked up wins in their first games, drew 2-2 earlier on Sunday and are in a battle with Colombia to qualify for the knockout stage. Mina headed home from close range in the 40th minute when midfielder Juan Fernando Quintero caught the Poland defence off guard from a short corner with a smart clipped pass to James Rodriguez who whipped it in first time with his left foot. Quintero's defence-splitting pass then gave captain Falcao, who missed the 2014 tournament due to injury, his first World Cup goal in the 70th, while Rodriguez got his second assist five minutes later when he set up Cuadrado to make it 3-0. (Reporting by Sudipto Ganguly; editing by Ken Ferris) … [Read more...] about News FIFA World Cup: Colombia win 3-0 to knock Poland out of World Cup
Rodriguez, Falcao named in Colombia squad for friendlies
Bayern Munich midfielder James Rodriguez and Monaco striker Radamel Falcao have been named in Colombia's squad for friendlies against France and Australia. But Juventus winger Juan Cuadrado and Boca Juniors midfielder Edwin Cardona were absent from coach Jose Pekerman's 26-man squad, reports Xinhua news agency. Cuadrado is recovering from a hernia operation while Cardona is suspended. Both Rodriguez and Falcao only returned to action for their respective clubs in the past week after overcoming respective calf and thigh injuries. The Cafeteros squad also includes Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina, AC Milan defender Cristian Zapata, Barcelona centre-back Yerry Mina and Shanghai Shenhua midfielder Giovanni Moreno. Colombia will play France in Paris next Friday followed by a clash against Australia in London four days later. The fixtures provide one of the last chances for Pekerman to test his squad before the World Cup in Russia, which starts on June 14. Squad: Goalkeepers: David Ospina … [Read more...] about Rodriguez, Falcao named in Colombia squad for friendlies
Higuain expected to be fit for Spurs clash
TURIN, Italy: Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain is expected to be fit to play against Tottenham in the Champions League next month despite suffering an ankle sprain in Serie A action at the weekend. Higuain was substituted in the 15th minute of Sunday’s Turin derby, which the defending champions won 1-0 thanks to a first-half goal from Alex Sandro. But the Argentine’s injury is not as serious as first thought with the 30-year-old posting on Instagram Monday that he will be back “very soon”. Juventus’ forward Gonzalo Higuain from Argentina (left) reacts near Juventus’ midfielder Miralem Pjanic of Bosnia-Herzegovina during the Italian Serie A football match between Torino and Juventus at Stadio Grande Torino in Turin. AFP PHOTO “I’ll be back soon to celebrate with the team and with all of you,” wrote Higuain, who has scored 24 times this season including twice in Juventus’ 2-2, first-leg draw with Tottenham last Tuesday. There … [Read more...] about Higuain expected to be fit for Spurs clash