With a devastating second-half performance with three goals from Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, Juventus kicked off 2020 on Monday with a 4-0 win over Cagliari in Turin and, at least momentarily, top the Italian Serie A. Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuaín completed the team’s positive result for the 18th Matchday of the competition.

With 45 points, Juventus reached their 14th league win – they still have three draws and only one defeat. To stay in the lead, the Old Lady will be hoping for a stumble from Inter Milan, who is 42 and is still playing against Napoli in Naples later on Monday. Cagliari, with 29 points, is in sixth place and is in the qualifying zone for the next edition of the UEFA Europa League.

This is the second time in this Italian Championship that Cristiano Ronaldo scores three goals in the same game. His “tripletta”, as hat trick is referred to in Italy, only began in the second half, right after four minutes.

In the early stages, Cagliari managed to contain the offensive impetuous from Juventus, but a defensive mistake by defender Ragnar Klavan put everything to lose to the visitors. On 49 mins, The Portuguese showed all his calmness and class to dribble past the keeper Olsen and open the scoring in Turin. 1-0 Juve.

With room to counterattack, Juventus augmented the advantage. On 67 minutes, Argentine Dybala was brought down inside the area as the ref pointed to the Penalty spot. Cristiano Ronaldo was the taker and converted the pen. 2-0 Juventus.

Shortly thereafter, at 81, Higuaín grabbed his goal in a beautiful finish from outside of the box, as the CR7 completed his hat trick a minute later, finishing past Olsen and making it four.