Sevilla claim Real Madrid scalp as Ramos injury hits hard

Felix Mendoza 05:47 09/11/2015
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  • Difficult evening: Cristiano Ronaldo.

    Real Madrid saw their unbeaten start to the season come to an end with a pulsating defeat against Sevilla at a raucous Sanchez Pizjuan.

    There was little sign of the drama to follow as Los Blancos took the lead through a spectacular strike from Sergio Ramos. But the visiting skipper injured himself in the process and his substitution completely altered the complexion of the game as Sevilla took advantage of a woeful Madrid defence to level through Ciro Immobile.

    In a fast, frantic and remarkably open second half the chances continued to flow at both ends, and Sevilla took theirs through Ever Banega and substitute Fernando Llorente to claim the points, despite a fine goal from James Rodriguez in stoppage time.

    That outcome looked highly unlikely in the opening stages as fit-again Gareth Bale had a header saved by Sergio Rico and Cristiano Ronaldo saw a shot blocked.

    It was fully deserved when the visitors took the lead midway through the first half as an outswinging corner was met by Ramos’s spectacular overhead volley on the edge of the box and the ball flew into the right corner. But Ramos hurt his already-fragile left shoulder as he landed awkwardly, and after a few minutes of attempting to continue he was forced off, seriously jeopardising his availability for the Clasico in a fortnight.

    Sevilla quickly seized the initiative, exerting consistent attacking pressure and levelling with their first shot on target when Kiko Casilla, replacing Keylor Navas, dithered at a corner and the ball reached Immobile who fired home from a narrow angle at the far post.

    The second half started with chances at both ends as Toni Kroos and Evgeny Konoplyanka fired wide, but Sevilla surged ahead when the outstanding Ukrainean made a slaloming run and played a one-two with Immobile before cutting back a low cross for the onrushing Banega to convert.

    Madrid attempted to fight back and Kroos had a shot tipped over, the disappointing Ronaldo twice fired wide while Casemiro had a glancing header from a corner brilliantly saved by Rico. And Sevilla made the points safe when Llorente took advantage of wide open spaces in the heart of the penalty area to powerfully head home a right wing cross from Mariano.

    It could have been worse for the visitors as Casilla made an excellent double save to deny Konoplyanka and Banega. And although James reduced the deficit by crashing home a low piledriver from 20 yards with the last kick of the game, Madrid were well beaten.

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