Football: Ronaldo scores for Juventus in first appearance since being accused of alleged rape

Cristiano Ronaldo scored for Juventus in the Italian league on Saturday, a week after an American woman filed a civil lawsuit accusing him of rape nine years ago. Late in the first half against Udinese in Serie A, Ronaldo found the target with a powerful angled shot into the far corner to give his side a 2-0 lead at half-time after Rodrigo Bentancur had earlier given Juventus the lead. The goal was Ronaldo's fourth of the season in his eighth match since joining the club fro Real Madrid. He could have had a hat-trick but for two second-half saves from Udinese goalkeeper Simone Scuffet in a match where the home side rarely threatened. Kathryn Mayorga filed a lawsuit last week in Nevada saying she was raped by Ronaldo in Las Vegas in 2009. Police have also re-opened an investigation while Ronaldo has denied the accusation. Ronaldo missed Tuesday's (2nd October) Champions League match against Young Boys because he was suspended after receiving a red card in an earlier match. However, he did play in the Italian league last weekend shortly after news broke about the allegation against him.