Ronaldo double seals new record for voracious Juventus

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as voracious Italian champions Juventus finished 2018 on a high with a 2-1 win over Sampdoria to set a new record of 53 points before the winter break.

Ronaldo curled in the opener after just two minutes in Turin adding a second from the penalty spot after 66 minutes, putting the Portuguese top of Serie A's scoring charts on 14 goals.

Evergreen Sampdoria striker Fabio Quagliarella pulled the Genoa outfit level with a penalty after 33 minutes, with the visitors having a late Riccardo Saponara goal ruled offside after consultation with the video assistant referee.

VAR proved decisive in the game with Sampdoria coach Marco Giampaolo, dismissing Ronaldo's penalty as "a gift," adding "that Saponara goal should never have been cancelled".

"Juventus are strong, they consume everything. They are a cannibal," said Giampaolo.

"For me, morally, the game was 2-2."
- VAR decisive -
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"The first half of the season has gone really well," said the 33-year-old, "but there's still a long way to go. We must stay focused and keep working away if we want to achieve great things."