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As it happenedended

Cristiano Ronaldo sends Juventus nine points clear at the top of Serie A

Relive all the action from the Serie A fixture at the Allianz Stadium

Kishan Vaghela
Saturday 24 November 2018 13:04 EST
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Juve will be looking for another win in Serie A
Juve will be looking for another win in Serie A (AP)

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Cristiano Ronaldo scored the opening goal and helped set up the second as Juventus extended their unbeaten start in Serie A with a 2-0 win over promoted SPAL on Saturday.

Ronaldo's latest goal was his ninth in Serie A, matching Genoa's Krzysztof Piatek in the race for the golden boot.

The goal came near the half-hour mark when Ronaldo beat everyone to redirect in a free kick from Miralem Pjanic.

In the 60th, Ronaldo's pull back on the counterattack set up a shot for Douglas Costa, whose effort was swatted into the path of Mario Mandzukic who scored from the rebound.

Juventus moved nine points ahead of second-place Napoli, who host Chievo Verona on Sunday.

AP

What time does it start?

Juventus vs SPAL kicks off at 5pm (BST)

Where can I watch it?

The match will be shown live on Eleven Sports 2 from 4:50pm.

Fans can also watch the match on Eleven Sports through iOS mobile and tablet apps as well as on Android mobiles.

Highlights will be shown at 3:30am on Eleven Sports 2.

Player to watch…

Cristiano Ronaldo: The 33-year-old has not played for Portugal since they were knocked out at the last 16 stage of the World Cup by Uruguay, but he has been a regular figure in the Juventus side this season. From 12 appearances, the former Real Madrid man has scored eight goals and registered five assists, including a first goal at the San Siro in the 2-0 win over AC Milan last time out. With tough fixtures against Inter Milan and Roma coming up, the Old Lady will require Ronaldo to keep his goalscoring form up against SPAL.

Form guide…

Juventus: DWWWLW

SPAL: LLWLLD

Odds…

Juventus to win: 1/8

SPAL to win: 19/1

Draw: 13/2

(Odds provided by 888 Sport)

Prediction...

Juventus 3-0 SPAL: Home win without too much fuss, you'd think.

60 min: Atletico Madrid 0-0 Barcelona

That's the closest we've come to a goal. Griezmann gets the better of Arthur and uses his pace before putting a low ball across the box.

Pique however gets back in time to denying the sliding Costa with an outstretched boot himself. 

Kishan Vaghela24 November 2018 21:08

63 min: Atletico Madrid 0-0 Barcelona

First change for the hosts, with Thomas Lemar being replaced by Vitolo. 

Kishan Vaghela24 November 2018 21:10

69 min: Atletico Madrid 0-0 Barcelona

That slight improvement at the beginning of the half has sadly disappeared. Both sides seem to be happy to keep possession without creating anything positive.

I wonder how long it is before the managers opt to bring on the more 'individual' Angel Correa and Ousmane Dembele. 

Kishan Vaghela24 November 2018 21:15

72 min: Atletico Madrid 0-0 Barcelona

There don't seem to be many intriguing duels going on, but Umtiti against Costa is a spat that has just boiled over.

The duo clash again and they both see yellow cards in the aftermath after the referee was forced to come in between the two. 

Kishan Vaghela24 November 2018 21:19

Some second-half possession stats for you to mull over...

Kishan Vaghela24 November 2018 21:21

77 min: Atletico Madrid 0-0 Barcelona

That's the loudest noise we've had at the Wanda this evening. Griezmann swings a free-kick in and the Atletico players appeal for a penalty after the ball hits Arturo Vidal's arm.

Replays show that the Chilean seems to head the ball onto his arm, and VAR officials concur. 

Kishan Vaghela24 November 2018 21:24

GOAL! Atletico Madrid 1-0 Barcelona (Costa 77')

No I am not kidding. A corner is swung over to the far post, where Costa shrugs off the challenge of Rafinha before connecting well enough with his header to beat ter Stegen despite the German getting fingertips to the ball.

Thirteen minutes left for Barcelona to preserve their position at the top of the table.

Kishan Vaghela24 November 2018 21:25

80 min: Atletico Madrid 1-0 Barcelona

And that's all for Costa this evening. He is brought off for Angel Correa after scoring his first La Liga goal since late February, while Arthur is replaced by Ousmane Dembele for Barcelona. 

Kishan Vaghela24 November 2018 21:28

82 min: Atletico Madrid 1-0 Barcelona

In times of need, Barca look to their main man for inspiration. Messi whips a free-kick from 30 yards towards goal, but Oblak holds his tame effort comfortably. 

Kishan Vaghela24 November 2018 21:30

  ↵Watch how Costa sent the Wanda into delirium.

Kishan Vaghela24 November 2018 21:31

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