Published on 02:41 PM, January 22, 2019

Ronaldo arrives in Spanish court to answer for tax fraud

Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after missing a chance. Photo: Reuters File

Following last night's match, where he missed a penalty. Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo arrived in court in Madrid on Tuesday to face accusations of tax fraud, where he is expected to plead guilty after striking a deal last year with authorities.

Ronaldo said nothing as he walked past journalists in to court dressed in black jacket and trousers, black turtleneck, white trainers and sunglasses, only gesturing with his hand.

The 33-year-old Juventus forward agreed to settle the case by paying an 18.8 million euro ($21.3 million) fine and accepting a suspended jail sentence.

Under Spanish law, a first offender can serve anything less than a two-year sentence under probation, so according to the deal, Ronaldowill not be required to serve his time in jail.

The court appearance is expected to be short, with officials saying the hearing will only require the player to confirm that he accepts the deal. 

Ronaldo misses penalty in Juve win

Last night. Juventus were already two goals ahead when Ronaldo, the joint top scorer in Italy's top flight with 14 goals, saw his spot kick brilliantly saved by Stefano Sorrentino in the 52nd minute after Mattia Bani handled.

Douglas Costa, Emre Can and Daniele Rugani scored their first goals of the season as Juve restored a nine-point lead over Napoli who cut the gap with Sunday's 2-1 win over Lazio.

Juventus have 56 points from a possible 60 as they chase an eighth straight title. Bottom side Chievo have eight points.

The Flying Donkeys held out for only 13 minutes until Costa burst through the Chievo midfield and slipped a shot between two defenders from the edge of the area.

Another moment of individual inspiration created the second goal just before the break as Paulo Dybala ran at the centre of the defence and slipped the ball to Can, who fired a low shot past Sorrentino for his first goal since joining from Liverpool.

After missing his penalty, Ronaldo was frustrated twice more, turning the ball wide from Dybala's cross and then finding the side netting after the Argentine freed him on the left.

Juventus still added a third with a simple far post header from Rugani from Federico Bernardeschi's free kick in the 84th.