Football news - Juventus grind out win despite shock Cristiano Ronaldo red card

Juventus recovered from Cristiano Ronaldo’s first-half sending off to emerge from the Mestalla with a 2-0 win over Valencia in their Champions League Group H opener.

Ronaldo was in tears after referee Felix Brych gave the former Real Madrid man his marching orders following a clash with Los Che’s Jeison Murillo with just 29 minutes gone.

The 33-year-old could face a three-game suspension, which would see him miss both games against Manchester United as well as the fixture with BSC Young Boys.

Despite the Portuguese’s shock sending off, the Bianconeri took a lead into the interval when Miralem Pjanic converted from the penalty spot after Daniel Parejo was penalised for a high foot.

And Pjanic doubled his side’s advantage early in the second half; again from the penalty spot, this time after Murillo bundled Leonardo Bonucci over in the box.

The home side poured forward as Juventus tired and were rewarded for their persistence with a penalty of their own when Daniele Rugani was penalised for a flailing arm.

However, Wojciech Szczesny repelled Parejo's effort in stoppage time as Juve made it four away wins on the spin in the competition.

Next up in Group H, Juventus host Young Boys and Valencia visit Manchester United on Tuesday October 2.

Ronaldo is used to stealing the headlines on Champions League nights, but these won't make good reading. He usually breaks records when he's featuring in games involving Europe's elite - but not this time. The Portuguese's return to Spain ended far too prematurely after he needlessly tangled with Murillo. Replays show a coming together and a brief scratch of the defender's head.

Whether it was harsh or not, the 33-year-old is experienced enough to know better. It was a first red card in 154 Champions League appearances for the competition's all-time leading marksman and comes just days after he broke his duck for his new side after failing to net in his first three outings. This blot on his copybook on his European bow for the Old Lady means it's been an indifferent start to life with the Italians to say the least, but you'd be foolish to write off a man who has delivered so often on the big stage from coming back to have a big say in this season's competition. Watch this space.

Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus). The defender was a rock at the back as Valencia pressed the tiring 10-men in the second half.

VALENCIA: Neto 7, Rúben Vezo 6, Murillo 5, Gabriel 6, Gonçalo Guedes 6, Soler 6, Parejo 6, Gayà 6, Wass 6, Rodrigo 6, Batshuayi 5. Subs: Cheryshev 6, Santi Mina 6, Gameiro 6.

JUVENTUS: Szczesny 7; Cancelo 7, Bonucci 8, Chiellini 8, Alex Sandro 7, Khedira 5, Pjanic 7, Matuidi 7, Bernardeschi 7, Mandzukic 6, Ronaldo 5. Subs: Can 6, Costa 6, Rugani n/a.

12' - JUVENTUS CHANCE. Federico Bernarderschi drives beyond two challenges and fires over a super cross towards Ronaldo. The Portuguese miss-hits a volley at the far post that turns into a pass for Mandzukic who then contrives to hook over from close range.

17' - JUVENTUS CHANCE. Another big miss from the visitors. Ronaldo curves a wonderful ball in from the left for Bernarderschi, who unselfishly cuts it back at the far post for Khedira, but the German somehow puts it over the bar.

20' - JUVENTUS CHANCE. How did that stay out? Juventus surge forward once more. Jeison Murillo blocks Matuidi's follow-up inside his own six-yard box after Bernarderschi had seen his effort from Sandro's cross saved by Neto.

29' - RONALDO RED CARD! Ronaldo has been sent off on his first appearance in the CL for Juventus. He appears to be in tears after being giving his marching orders for clashing with Jeison Murillo in the area.

45' - GOAL! Valencia 0-1 Juventus. Pjanic steps up and converts the spot kick to give the 10-men the advantage. It was awarded when João Cancelo was caught by a high boot from Parejo after the Juve man's shot had hit the crossbar.

51' - GOAL! Valencia 0-2 Juventus. Pjanic doubles his tally with another spot kick as he clinically fires into the right-hand corner.

90+6' - VALENCIA PENALTY SAVED! Szczesny dives to his right to keep out Parejo's spot kick.