Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice, including a thunderous 25-yard drive, as Italian champions Juventus surged seven points clear in Serie A on Saturday following a battling 2-1 victory at Empoli. Empoli, without a win since the opening weekend of the season, grabbed a 28th-minute lead at the Stadio Carlo Castellani as Francesco Caputo curled home following a lung-busting run by Afriyie Acquah.

But Juventus turned to their 100-million-euro man Ronaldo in the second half, as Portugal forward equalised from the spot before blasting home a magnificent second to secure a ninth win in 10 Serie A matches for Massimiliano Allegri's team. "It was a very complicated game. We knew it would be difficult, especially after a Champions League tie and we were a bit tired," Ronaldo told Sky Sport Italia.