Juventus Earns 2nd Straight 3-0 Win, Como Gets First Serie A Point in 2 Decades 

Juventus' Dušan Vlahovic scores the 0-3 goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Hellas Verona and Juventus FC, in Verona, Italy, 26 August 2024. (EPA)
Juventus' Dušan Vlahovic scores the 0-3 goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Hellas Verona and Juventus FC, in Verona, Italy, 26 August 2024. (EPA)
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Juventus Earns 2nd Straight 3-0 Win, Como Gets First Serie A Point in 2 Decades 

Juventus' Dušan Vlahovic scores the 0-3 goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Hellas Verona and Juventus FC, in Verona, Italy, 26 August 2024. (EPA)
Juventus' Dušan Vlahovic scores the 0-3 goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Hellas Verona and Juventus FC, in Verona, Italy, 26 August 2024. (EPA)

Juventus became the only Serie A team to win both of its opening two matches of the season after Dušan Vlahovic scored twice in a 3-0 victory over Verona on Monday.

Right-back Nicolo Savona also scored on his full debut as Juventus earned a second straight 3-0 win.

Vlahovic put the visitors ahead after 28 minutes when he found space in the Verona backline and fought off the attention of three defenders to steer the ball home from 12 yards.

Savona doubled the lead with a header 11 minutes later and Vlahovic rounded off the scoring from the penalty spot eight minutes into the second half.

Verona is ninth with three points.

Meanwhile, Como earned its first Serie A point in more than two decades when Cesc Fabregas’ team came back from a goal down to draw 1-1 at Cagliari.

Fabregas, the former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder, helped guide Como back into the top flight last season after a 21-year absence, but the Lombardy-based club lost its opener 3-0 to Juventus.

However, it showed resilience on a sunny evening in Sardinia.

Roberto Piccolo put the host ahead when he stole in between a hesitant defender and goalkeeper to nod home after 44 minutes.

The goal marked the fifth season in a row that the 23-year-old striker has scored for a different Serie A club, after previous stints with Lecce, Empoli, Atalanta and Spezia.

Como equalized eight minutes into the second period. Alberto Dossena headed down a corner kick from the right and Como-born Patrick Cutrone was on hand to dispatch the ball high into the net.

Both goalkeepers made good saves in the last 15 minutes to maintain the stalemate.



James Rodríguez Joins Rayo Vallecano in Return to the Spanish League 

Football - International Friendly - South Korea v Colombia - Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium, Ulsan, South Korea - March 24, 2023 Colombia's James Rodriguez celebrates after scoring their first goal. (Reuters)
Football - International Friendly - South Korea v Colombia - Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium, Ulsan, South Korea - March 24, 2023 Colombia's James Rodriguez celebrates after scoring their first goal. (Reuters)
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James Rodríguez Joins Rayo Vallecano in Return to the Spanish League 

Football - International Friendly - South Korea v Colombia - Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium, Ulsan, South Korea - March 24, 2023 Colombia's James Rodriguez celebrates after scoring their first goal. (Reuters)
Football - International Friendly - South Korea v Colombia - Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium, Ulsan, South Korea - March 24, 2023 Colombia's James Rodriguez celebrates after scoring their first goal. (Reuters)

James Rodríguez is back in the Spanish league.

Madrid club Rayo Vallecano said Monday it signed the Colombia playmaker in a deal that brings him back to Spain four years after he left Real Madrid to join Everton in the Premier League.

The 33-year-old Rodríguez had his contract with Brazilian club Sao Paulo rescinded after he led Colombia to a runner-up finish in the Copa America, where he had six assists and was named the tournament’s most valuable player.

Rayo is celebrating its centennial season and opened the league with a 2-1 win at Real Sociedad and a 0-0 draw at Getafe.

“I feel great joy to join a historic club like Rayo,” Rodríguez said. “I really want to do things well. I feel that responsibility wherever I go. I like to win. Especially in such an important year for the club.”