Ronaldo scored a hat-trick of assists as Juventus beat Napoli

Goals: Mandzukic 26', 49', Bonucci 76' - Mertens 10'

Juventus fans were subjected to their club's worst opening 20 minutes of the season, but the remaining 70 minutes were a sublime performance inspired by Cristiano Ronaldo. The 33-year-old superstar had a hand in all three goals, along with many dangerous attacks on goal.

Ronaldo did not score but left an outstanding performance. Photo: Mosca.

Juventus hosted Napoli aiming to avenge last season's 1-0 home defeat - centre-back Koulibaly headed in the only goal in the 90th minute. But the home side took a long time to get into the game.

In the sixth minute, midfielder Piotr Zielinski fired a long-range shot that hit the post. The opportunity raised Napoli's spirits even higher. Coach Carlo Ancelotti's team flooded into the opponent's half and put pressure on Juventus right from the start. That caused centre-back Leonardo Bonucci to make a wrong pass in the 10th minute. Allan read the situation very quickly, stole the ball and passed it to Jose Callejon to set up Dries Mertens to open the scoring.

Mertens soon had a soft tap-in to open the score. Photo: Reuters.

The home team regained control in the second half of the first half, and that's when the difference in skill level was revealed. In the 26th minute, Ronaldo got the ball on the left wing in a counter-attack, he got past Elseid Hysaj, and crossed for Mario Mandzukic to head home the equalizer while unmarked.

CR7 won a free kick just outside the box a few minutes later, and he himself forced Ospina to push the ball away. But no Juventus player was able to return the ball. Early in the second half, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner dribbled and shot from distance, hitting the post and bouncing out. This time, Mandzukic appeared in time to tap the ball into the net.

Juventus were given an extra man in the 58th minute after Mario Rui received a second yellow card for a kick to Paulo Dybala's ankle. With only 10 men, the visitors almost equalised. Callejon was given a chance to face the goalkeeper by Milik, but his shot hit Szczesny. Shortly afterwards, Juventus sealed a 3-1 victory with a close-range tap-in from Bonucci. Ronaldo was largely responsible for the goal with his header.

Ronaldo (third from left) has scored three goals and provided four assists in Serie A this season. Photo: Reuters.

This is the fifth time Juventus have won their first seven Serie A games. The gap with Napoli is now six points and the "Old Lady" is once again on the fast track to conquering an eighth consecutive scudetto. The victory is even more meaningful for them because Ronaldo shined at the right time when Juventus needed him.