Juventus struggled at the empty Stadio Olimpico, going behind twice to goals by French midfielder Jordan Veretout in their first trip under new coach Andrea Pirlo.

Ronaldo replied to Veretout's penalty opener with one of his own a minute before the interval, only for Roma to score again almost immediately to take a 2-1 lead into the break.

Having scored in the 3-0 win at home to Sampdoria last week, the Portugal captain then took his tally to three goals in the opening two matches of the league season with a classic 69th-minute header.

Danilo burst down the right and looped a cross towards the head of the forward, who demonstrated his formidable aerial ability to score with a typically athletic leap and finish.

By that time, Juve had spent eight minutes with a man less than their hosts, Adrien Rabiot receiving a second yellow card for a reckless tackle.

While arch-rival Lionel Messi was also in scoring form as Barcelona beat Villarreal in their season opener on the same night, Ronaldo's latest goal emphasized his vastly superior record in terms of headers.

The second equalizer took his total number of headed goals in his career to 130 and was his 450th goal in the top five leagues of Europe.

"Ronaldo is by far the best at headers in world football and that's his first headed goal since December last year," pointed out one account on Twitter. "After 10 months of sh*t crosses, he finally gets a good one."

Others echoed the view that Ronaldo is carrying the Italian giants. "The way Ronaldo is wasting his career with Juventus is really annoying," said one.

They added: "The way he needs Real Madrid and Real Madrid needs him is frustrating."

Another argued: "He is literally too good to be in that team. Worst Juventus team in years.

"He could have added much more to his personal cabinet with any team other than Juventus."