Football

Cristiano Ronaldo scores yet again as Juventus rescue cup draw in Milan


A stoppage-time Cristiano Ronaldo penalty rescued a 1-1 draw for Juventus at 10-man Milan on Thursday in the first leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final.

Ante Rebic’s volley gave the hosts a deserved lead after 61 minutes, following a string of good saves from veteran Juve goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

But Stefano Pioli’s side were reduced to 10 men for the final 18 minutes when defender Theo Hernandez was shown a second yellow card for a rash challenge on Paulo Dybala.

Juventus were awarded a penalty in the dying minutes following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, which showed that a Ronaldo scissor kick had struck the arm of Milan defender Davide Calabria.

The Portuguese forward smashed the spot-kick into the roof of the net to earn his side a draw before the second leg in Turin on 4 March.

Napoli defeated Inter Milan 1-0 in the first leg of the other semi-final in Milan on Wednesday.

Copa del Rey roundup

Real Sociedad beat second division Mirandés 2-1 at home in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg on Thursday to stay on course to reach the final for the first time in 32 years.

Spain international Mikel Oyarzabal fired the home side into the lead in the ninth minute at a heaving and noisy Anoeta Stadium. Sociedad last won the Copa del Rey in 1987 and are bidding to reach the final for the first time since 1988.

But Mirandés, who also reached the semi-finals in 2012 and have knocked out three La Liga sides this season, levelled in the 40th through Brazilian forward Matheus Rodrigues.

Mikel Oyarzabal celebrates after scoring the first goal for Real Sociedad.



Mikel Oyarzabal celebrates after scoring the first goal for Real Sociedad. Photograph: Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images

The striker, on loan from Watford, controlled a pass into the area and fended off three defenders before sending the ball tricking into the bottom corner to score a fifth goal in four Cup games this season.

Sociedad’s Norway midfielder Martin Odegaard lost the ball in the build-up to the equaliser but redeemed himself three minutes later by netting on the rebound to restore the lead.

The Basque side had more chances after the break but were kept at bay by keeper Limones, who gave Mirandés hope for the second leg at their tiny Estadio Municipal de Anduva, where they have knocked out Celta Vigo, Sevilla and Villarreal this season.

Sociedad’s local rivals Athletic Bilbao beat Granada 1-0 at home on Wednesday in the other semi-final, setting up the prospect of an all-Basque final in Seville on 18 April.



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