Real Madrid went on a new club record unbeaten run – thanks largely to their captain.
It was the 92nd minute, and Deportivo La Coruna and Real Madrid were drawing 2-2 in the Santiago Bernabeu when, high in the north stand, a chant began. “And Sergio Ramos scores a goal!” it ran.
And those supporters were still singing it when Ramos did score a goal, leaping to head home the winner.
Everyone ran to the corner and piled on, Marcelo standing back, alongside the mound of bodies, looking to the stands and beating his chest as if he was Tarzan. Further up the touchline, Zinedine Zidane was smiling a huge, incredulous smile. He’d only gone and done it again.
A week earlier, Ramos had scored in the 90th minute to claim a draw in the Clasico against Barcelona. It had been a huge goal too, one that rescued the league leaders from a first defeat of the season and kept them six points clear, denying their rivals the chance to reduce the lead to just three points and blow the title race wide open.
Andres Iniesta called it “hard to take” as they had been so close. Leading 1-0 through Luis Suarez, both Neymar and Lionel Messi had clear chances to kill off the game, but it had gone into the last minute – Ramos time.
“We believed right to the end. I have to highlight this team’s heart yet again,” pointed out Zidane. He also said he was not surprised Ramos had appeared when they most needed it. “That’s what Ramos has,” Madrid’s manager added. “He is always there.”
It certainly feels that way; there’s something about Ramos, that’s for sure.
This story is from the January 2017 edition of World Soccer.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 2017 edition of World Soccer.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Never Say Never Again
Bayer Leverkusen are determined to shake off their tag of perennial runners-up
The Last Days Of Roma
How Jose Mourinho's time in the Italian capital came to an end
Opponents then friends: Beckenbauer and Cruyff
Franz Beckenbauer and Johan Cruyff’s relationship defined an era of football
THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN
RB Leipzig's as successful strategy to build a women's team as their men's is right on schedule
New-look Ulsan ready to defend title
The reigning K-League champions have rebranded since last season and are the team to beat yet again in 2024
Messi set for MLS spotlight
The Argentine and his Inter Miami team-mates will dominate the MLS headlines in a big year for North American football
Champions League knockout rounds begin
The last 16 has already begun, with the quarter-finals soon to follow
Hannes Halldorsson
The former Iceland goalkeeper looks back on his proudest moment in football
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2023-24 KNOCKOUT ROUND PREVIEW
Turn over now for Nick Bidwell's comprehensive team-by-team guide
Ventforet Kofu
Japanese second-tier side advance to Asian Champions League knockout rounds with a second-string team