VALENCIA, Spain (AP) – Cristiano Ronaldo was supposed to be the missing piece in Juventus’ bid to win the Champions League.
But his first match in the competition for his new club lasted less than half an hour on Wednesday as he was sent off after appearing to pull at an opponent’s hair.
Juventus still went on to win 2-0 at Valencia, thanks to two penalties.
Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after receiving a red card during the Champions League, group H soccer match between Valencia and Juventus, at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)
Ronaldo was dismissed in the 29th minute after tangling with Jeison Murillo. After Murillo went down inside the area, the Portugal forward gestured for his opponent to get up, then put his hand on the Valencia defender’s head and appeared to tug his hair. Referee Felix Brych showed Ronaldo a straight red card after discussing with his assistant behind the goal.
Ronaldo looked baffled and kept professing his innocence and was clearly distraught as he left the pitch in tears, still shaking his head.
It was his first red card in 154 Champions League games, and the decision means he could miss a return to Old Trafford when Juventus plays Manchester United next month.
Juventus plays Young Boys next in the competition before a double header with Manchester United, with the first match in England on Oct. 23. The Italian club could appeal the red card decision.
Despite playing more than an hour with 10 men, Juventus eased to victory in Spain.
Mario Mandzukic and Sami Khedira had already missed glaring opportunities before Ronaldo’s dismissal and, after a shaky few minutes following the red card, Juventus got back into its stride and took the lead on the stroke of halftime.
Joao Cancelo hit the crossbar and was then fouled by Daniel Parejo as he tried to get on the rebound.
Miralem Pjanic struck the penalty into the bottom right corner and did the same six minutes after the break when Brych awarded Juventus another spot kick after Murillo brought down Leonardo Bonucci.
Despite the numerical advantage, Valencia posed little threat going forward but almost grabbed a consolation in stoppage time when it was given a penalty of its own. But Wojciech Szczesny parried Parejo’s spot kick, which was awarded after Daniele Rugani was adjudged to have elbowed Gabriel Paulista.
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Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo, 2nd right, is consoled by teammate Federico Bernardeschi after receiving a red card during the Champions League, group H soccer match between Valencia and Juventus, at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)
Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo is consoled by teammate Federico Bernardeschi, right, after receiving a red card during the Champions League, group H soccer match between Valencia and Juventus, at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)
Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after receiving a red card during the Champions League, group H soccer match between Valencia and Juventus, at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)
Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo is consoled by Valencia coach Marcelino Garcia as he walks off the pitch after getting a red card during the Champions League, group H soccer match between Valencia and Juventus, at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)
Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo goes for the ball during the Champions League, group H soccer match between Valencia and Juventus, at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)
Juventus midfielder Miralem Pjanic, left, celebrates with teammates Leonardo Bonucci and Blaise Matuidi, right, after scoring on a penalty during the Champions League, group H soccer match between Valencia and Juventus, at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)
Juventus midfielder Miralem Pjanic, left, is congratulated by teammate Joao Cancelo after scoring on a penalty his side’s opening goal during the Champions League, group H soccer match between Valencia and Juventus, at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)
Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri shouts during the Champions League, group H soccer match between Valencia and Juventus, at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)
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