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Juventus forward Ronaldo took his tally to 14 Serie A goals for the season[/caption]
The video assistant referee played a major role, including ruling out an injury-time equaliser, as champions Juventus beat Sampdoria to keep up their unbeaten run in Serie A.
Riccardo Saponara thought he had taken a point, but the goal was ruled out. Cristiano Ronaldo scored early on, and later put his side back in front with a penalty that was awarded for a handball which did not look deliberate. Samp’s equaliser came from a penalty awarded after consultation with VAR. Former Juve striker Fabio Quagliarella hammered home the spot-kick after referee Paolo Valeri took instruction from his assistant following Emre Can’s handball from a corner. Elsewhere, 10-man AC Milan scored for the first time in five league games to complete a comeback victory over SPAL. Andrea Petagna gave the struggling visitors a 13th-minute lead at the San Siro, but Samu Castillejo equalised three minutes later before Gonzalo Higuain completed the scoring in the second half. Suso was dismissed for a second bookable offence late on, but Gennaro Gattuso’s side held on to move into fifth place in the table.Three big decisions – but was VAR right?
Juve looked to be on their way to a routine victory when £99.8m summer signing Ronaldo drilled home after just 107 seconds, before VAR took centre stage.- 32 minutes: Former Liverpool midfielder Can challenges Albin Ekdal at the near post from a corner and the ball hits him on the arm, which is above his head. Quagliarella scores from the spot.
- 63 mins: As Juve push for a second goal, a corner is swung in by Miralem Pjanic. It hits Samp defender Alex Ferrari on the hand, which is by his side.
- 90+2 mins: In the six minutes of added time – some of which are down to the use of VAR – Saponara curls in a brilliant finish and rips off his shirt to celebrate. But the VAR tells the referee the substitute has come back from an offside position and rules out the goal.