Las Palmas vs. Real Madrid: Winners and Losers from La Liga
Real Madrid clinched a fourth straight win in all competitions with a 2-1 triumph over La Liga rivals Las Palmas on Sunday—but only after a dramatic finish in Gran Canaria, Spain.
Los Blancos held a 1-0 lead going into the closing stages of the match thanks to a first-half header from captain Sergio Ramos.
However, the home side seemed to have grabbed a point when Willian Jose kept his cool to lift the ball over Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas and level the scores after 87 minutes.
Yet the visitors—who were second best for long periods of the contest—went down the other end to grab a winner. Casemiro was their unlikely hero, as he headed home a corner at the back post.
The goal, though, still wasn't the final talking point. Ramos picked up a second booking in injury time, leaving his team-mates to see out the closing minutes with only 10 men.
Bleacher Report has picked out the winners and losers from a see-saw contest at Estadio Gran Canaria.
Winner: Sergio Ramos
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For a man paid to stop opposing teams scoring goals at one end of the field, Sergio Ramos sure gets plenty of his own at the other end.
In flicking home a left-wing corner in the 24th minute, Real Madrid's skipper took his career tally to 67.
According to statistician MisterChip on Twitter, that is more than midfielder Andres Iniesta has managed for Barcelona and Spain.
It was an impressive header from Ramos, too.
After a run to the near post saw him find space inside the area, he arched his neck to guide his attempt over Las Palmas goalkeeper Javi Varas and into the goal's far corner.
Loser: Sergio Ramos
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Ramos was excellent for 90 minutes. However, at the start of injury time, he ruined his display by picking up a second yellow card.
Late to challenge Momo, the centre-back caught the Las Palmas player and immediately knew what was coming. According to Graham Ruthven for Eurosport.co.uk, Ramos received the 20th red card of his career.
It did not cost his team in the end, as they held on to secure a narrow victory.
However, Ramos' dismissal has ramifications for the future. He will now be banned for the clash against former club Sevilla in the Spanish capital on March 20.
Real Madrid will also be without another defender for the La Liga fixture. Pepe's second-half yellow card means he will also now serve a one-match suspension.
Winner: Casemiro
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Casemiro picked the perfect time to score his first goal for Real Madrid.
According to Sky Sports Statto on Twitter, it also arrived during a milestone match for the Brazilian, as he happened to be making his 50th appearance for the Spanish club.
Even the midfielder must have been surprised to find himself unmarked inside the penalty area at an 89th-minute corner.
Left all alone at the far post, Casemiro planted a header into the net to spare Los Blancos' blushes at the death.
The goal also capped off a fine personal performance from a player who has impressed on his return to the first team.
Having made just two appearances in 2016 by the start of March, he has now played four in a row under coach Zinedine Zidane.
Loser: Cristiano Ronaldo
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Cristiano Ronaldo's rather frustrating evening was summed up when he was penalised in the second half for handling the ball, even though it actually struck his knee.
The Portugal international played in the centre of an attacking three, although Bleacher Report's Tim Collins questioned the visitors' formation on Twitter: "Madrid's usual 4-3-3 not looking very 4-3-3ish tonight. More like a 4-5-1. Or a 4-1-4-1."
With Zinedine Zidane's side off the pace and often pegged back by their hosts, Ronaldo was left as an isolated figure up front.
He did have one clear chance to score in the first half. But, when clean through, his left-footed shot was straight at Las Palmas goalkeeper Javi Varas.
However, it did lead to Real Madrid scoring. From the resulting corner, Ramos headed the away team in front.
Winner: Keylor Navas
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According to a survey run by Spanish newspaper AS, Real Madrid fans want Keylor Navas to be the team's No. 1 goalkeeper next season.
Keylor received 79 per cent of the vote in the poll, putting him well ahead of former transfer target David De Gea, who nearly joined from Manchester United in the summer of 2015.
The Costa Rican international demonstrated just why he is held in such high regard with one save in particular against Las Palmas.
With the score at 0-0, the visitors' sloppy play gifted Willian Jose a chance to break the deadlock. However, Keylor shot off his line to close the gap before spreading himself to block the forward's effort.
He was denied a clean sheet, but only because substitute Mateo Kovacic's ill-conceived free-kick let in Las Palmas to score an equaliser.
