A tearful Cristiano Ronaldo was controversially sent off as Juventus claimed a hard-fought win at Valencia.

The Portuguese star appeared to grab Valencia defender Jeison Murillo’s hair as they tangled off the ball midway through the first half and was shown a straight red card after referee Felix Brych consulted his assistant behind the goal.

Ten-man Juve rallied and took the lead on the stroke of half-time when Miralem Pjanic scored from the penalty spot, and shortly after the break, Pjanic stroked home another spot-kick.

Valencia was then awarded a penalty in stoppage time but Juve goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny denied Daniel Parejo to preserve his clean sheet.