Substitute Cristiano Ronaldo snatches ten-man Juventus a late point at Atalanta in thrilling 2-2 draw

The Portuguese was benched for the first time in Serie A since moving to Italy but eventually became the hero as Juve fought back from behind to secure a point on the road

Ronaldo's arrival could not find Juventus the third goal they needed (EPA)

Cristiano Ronaldo emerged from the bench to save Juventus' unbeaten league record, scoring the equaliser for a ten-man Vecchia Signora in a dramatic 2-2 draw at Champions League-chasing Atalanta.

It was to be the first points Juve have dropped on the road this season, but after Rodrigo Bentancur was dismissed early in the second half it was a result that the leaders were happy enough to take.

The Turin side even thought they had snatched a comeback win in the dying moments but Leonardo Bonucci's volley was ruled out for offside.

It was Ronaldo's late header, then, that proved the game's decisive moment but Atalanta had dreams of a valuable win over Juve in their quest for a top-four finish.

Things started badly for the hosts with an unfortunate own-goal but Duvan Zapata, the in-form Colombian striker, scored twice to flip the game on its head.

Cristiano Ronaldo came off the bench to salvage a 2-2 draw for Juventus against Atalanta (EPA)

Atalanta appeared to be heading for victory but Ronaldo, left on the bench for the first time in Serie A since signing from Real Madrid in the summer, was waiting to come on and change the game.

The cameras could barely have flicked back to the Portuguese more as Juventus struggled to get level but after his introduction there was a noted improvement in the visitors' play and it culminated in the close-range header on 78 minutes that levelled the game, handing Ronaldo his 12th goal of the season, after Mario Mandzukic had headed a corner back across goal from the far post.

Juventus, with 16 wins and two draws from 18 games, have 50 points, nine ahead of Napoli who travel to Inter Milan later on Wednesday. Atalanta are eighth with 25 points but have an eye on breaking into the European places.

Additional reporting by agencies