The VAR Stars as Atlético Beat Juventus

The Champions League brought Cristiano Ronaldo back to Madrid, but it wasn't one of his shining moments.

In fact, the entire Juventus side ... how to say? ... sucked.

Worse, luck and electronics were not on their side as le Zebre dropped the first leg to Atlético Madrid, 2-0.

After both a penalty on Diego Costa and an Álvaro Morata goal were overruled by the Video Assistant Referee, two Atléti defenders decided the game for the hosts.

 

There wasn't much in it for either side in the first half. Both teams had their chances, Ronaldo with a free-kick, and Costa by wasting a mano à mano against Wojciech Szczesny. 

Los Rojiblancos were also denied in a counter-attack, but not by Juve. Costa was fouled by Mattia de Sciglio outside the area, but as the Spanish striker fell inside the box, the referee initially pointed to the penalty spot.

Enter the VAR. Facts were facts, and the game went on.

 

After the break, Atléti pushed harder to capitalize on their home field advantage, and in the 70th minute, it paid off.

Filipe Luís' cross met Morata's head, but the Spanish striker pushed Giorgio Chiellini in the back before scoring the goal. Once again, it was VAR on Front Street, and once again, crime didn't pay.

Finally, in the 78th, there was a goal that counted. Juventus' defense failed to clear a corner from the left, and the ball wound up with José María Giménez, who got the glory:

 

Five minutes later, the hosts doubled their tally as Antoine Griezmann's free-kick found Diego Godin, who popped it past Szczesny:

 

Clearly, Juve coulda used a typical Ronaldo performance against Atléti ...

 

But it was not to be.

Kinda like their Champions League hopes unless they can handle both los Rojiblancos and the VAR better in the second leg.