Wednesday 9 May 2018 23:47, UK
An eventful night for Sergio Ramos saw Real Madrid miss the chance to go second in La Liga as they were beaten 3-2 by Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.
Strikes from Wissam Ben Yedder (26) and Miguel Layun (45) gave Joaquin Caparros' side a commanding lead at the break, and Ramos then deflected Gabriel Mercado's cross into his own net to extend the hosts' lead (84) after seeing his penalty come back off the underside of the crossbar earlier in the second half (54).
Substitute Borja Moyoral headed in Marco Asensio's centre to reduce the deficit before Ramos made amends with what proved to be a consolation as he converted his second penalty deep into stoppage time (90+5).
The scoreline deeply flattered the vastly changed Madrid side, but it means Sevilla are two points clear of Getafe in seventh place as they bid to secure a Europa League place for next season. Meanwhile, Real remain three points behind Atletico Madrid with two games remaining.
The first goal was route one football, as Nico Pareja's long ball from defence was headed by Luis Muriel into the path of Ben Yedder, who shook off Ramos to slide his finish beneath Kiko Casilla.
Sevilla came close to doubling their advantage as Nacho was forced into a desperate goal-line clearance to deny Muriel, but Madrid could do nothing to prevent a second on the stroke of half-time.
Ben Yedder was involved once more as he found the onrushing Steven Nzonzi inside the box, and after Theo Hernandez had blocked his shot, the former Stoke midfielder found Layun in space for the full-back to rifle his shot into the roof of the net with Casilla grounded.
Madrid, who made only two touches inside the Sevilla box in the first half, were handed the chance of halving the deficit from the penalty spot 13 minutes into the re-start as Franco Vazquez brought down his namesake Lucas inside the box, but Ramos rifled his shot against the bar.
Sevilla had missed the chance to put the game out of sight seconds before the spot-kick as Ben Yedder was denied by Casilla, and Muriel was next to be kept out by the stand-in Madrid keeper after being released through on goal.
But Caparros was dancing on the touchline with six minutes remaining as Mercado's cross was deflected into his own net by the unfortunate Ramos from an acute angle.
There was still time for Mayoral to glance in what appeared to be the only consolation of Madrid's night, but after Theo was fouled off the ball by Mercado, Ramos stepped up once more to send David Soria the wrong way.
Ben Yedder returned to the starting line-up for the first time since being sent off last month in the draw with Villarreal, and he played as if he had a point to prove to his manager.
The Frenchman will still have hopes of making his national team's squad for this summer's World Cup, and he linked up brilliantly with Luis Muriel to cause the Madrid defence constant problems.
The pair combined superbly for the opening goal, and Ben Yedder ought to have finished from Muriel's clever flick to cap his fine overall display.
Joaquin Caparros: "We didn't get off to the best of starts, but the team has quality, speed and talent. What's important is the three points. Tonight we have to enjoy it.
"Whoever plays has to give their all and if they don't we look to the academy, where we have players who always do the job. Tonight's coming together with the fans has been spectacular. We have to keep going, step by step."
Zinedine Zidane: "This defeat is not going to affect us at all for the remainder of the season. We can't be happy with what we did in the league, but with our performance tonight we can be.
"The team I put together was capable of winning the match. I don't regret anything. It's a pity. I have nothing to criticise the players for because in the second half they did everything to win."
Real Madrid host Celta Vigo at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday. Sevilla are in action on the same day, travelling to face rivals Real Betis, with both games live on Sky Sports Mix.
