Cristiano Ronaldo’s Hat-Trick Against Cagliari Silences Critics

Cristiano Ronaldo’s first half hat-trick against Serie A strugglers Cagliari silenced critics after Juventus’ champions League exit, winning 3-1 at the Sardegna Arena.

Ronaldo became the subject of transfer speculation after disappointing in the Bianconeri’s European exit to Porto in midweek, and the Portuguese forward had a point to prove with the second-fastest hat-trick of his outstanding career.

Cagliari made the brighter start and were fearless and were fearless against the champions. However, Ronaldo struck after ten minutes, with the Portuguese leaping highest from a Juan Cuadrado corner to send a trademark bullet header past Cagliari goalkeeper Alessio Cragno.

Alvaro Morata missed a great chance 12 minutes later but made amends with a terrific ball for Ronaldo, who was fouled by Alessio Cragno inside the box, handing the Old Lady a penalty.

Ronaldo picked himself up and fired the ball into the net to give the visitors a commanding lead.

A hat-trick looked inevitable, and Ronaldo had his third with just over half an hour played.

Federico Chiesa found him on the right flank, and after cutting inside on his left, Ronaldo found the top corner with an unstoppable effort to make the scores 3-0. It was Ronaldo’s second fastest Hat-trick.

Cagliari appeared unphased by their three-goal deficit and continued to press the Juventus backline. Duncan was the first to sting Wojciech Szczesny’s palms with a vicious free-kick and moments later Nahitan Nandez did the same with a dipping long-distance effort.

And the hosts finally had the goal they deserved when Gabriele Zappa picked out the unmarked Giovanni Simeone inside the box with the striker sending an acrobatic effort into the net to pull a goal back.

Cagliari continued to pile on the pressure, but despite a spirited effort, Ronaldo’s first-half masterclass was enough to hand Andrea Pirlo’s men all three points.

FT | ⏱ | THREE GOALS AND THREE POINTS!