SERGIO RAMOS scored his 100th Real Madrid goal before Rodrygo secured a massive Champions League win over Inter Milan.
The Los Blancos skipper, 34, headed in at the club’s Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano training stadium to bring up the ton.
Sergio Ramos scored his 100th Real Madrid goal against Inter MilanCredit: AFP OR LICENSORS
The Los Blancos captain rose highest at the near post to head homeCredit: AFP OR LICENSORS
Rodrygo came off the bench to fire home and secure a critical victory for Zinedine Zidane’s sideCredit: AFP or licensors
The 33rd-minute goal made it 2-0 to the hosts after Karim Benzema’s opener in a must-win tie – but the Italians fought back through Lautaro Martinez and Ivan Perisic to level the game.
Substitute Rodrygo, however, smashed home in emphatic style to net the winner ten minutes from time.
Ramos, who signed from Sevilla in 2005, has racked up more than 650 appearances for the Bernabeu club.
And the defender found the net for the ninth time in his last 19 Real Madrid games – including in El Clasico – to double their advantage against the Serie A giants.
The Spaniard lost his marker Stefan de Vrij from Toni Kroos’ inswinging corner.
He rose at the near post and guided the ball inside the far one as Samir Handanovic watched on helplessly.
Ramos took on the penalty-taking responsibilities when Cristiano Ronaldo signed for Juventus but even so, 100 goals for a centre-back is mightily impressive – and may convince his club to hand him a new deal.
Add his two from Sevilla B, three for Sevilla and 23 in 175 Spain caps and it takes his career tally to 128.
The Ramos header looked to have put his side in total command against Antonio Conte’s men in their attempt to get their nightmare European campaign on track.
After defeats to Shakhtar Donetsk and scraping a draw against Borussia Monchengladbach, Zinedine Zidane saw his side go in front for the first time in this season’s competition.
And it came in fortuitous circumstances as Inter right wing-back Achraf Hakimi – sold by Real Madrid in the summer – forgot who he was playing for as he played a back pass straight to Benzema.
The Frenchman rounded Handanovic and stuck into an empty net for his 67th Champions League goal.
However, Inter fought back.
Karim Benzema pounced on Achraf Hakimi’s poor back pass to round the goalkeeper and slot homeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Ramos celebrated in classic fashion as he made it 2-0 on the nightCredit: Rex Features
Lautaro Martinez brought Inter back into the game after Nicolo Barella’s gorgeous flickCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Just two minutes after Ramos’ header, a brilliant team goal was rounded off by a sumptuous Nicolo Barella flick and Martinez’s finish.
And midway through the second half, the Italians drew level.
Martinez turned provider this time, nodding Arturo Vidal’s ball forward to Perisic who tucked it back across Thibaut Courtois for 2-2.
But Brazilian wingers Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo combined before the latter fired into the back of the net to claim all three points – although Benzema will be wondering how on earth he failed to make it four in the closing minutes after fluffing his lines at the back stick.
There was still time for Alexis Sanchez – remember him – to come off the bench and waste his Inter’s last chance to rescue a point with a tame free-kick into the wall from a dangerous position as Real held on.
The result suddenly puts Real Madrid just a point off Group B leaders Monchengladbach, who thumped Shakhtar 6-0.
Ivan Perisic bundled in an equaliser midway through the second halfCredit: AFP or licensors
Perisic and Arturo Vidal celebrated quickly before going on the hunt for a winnerCredit: AP:Associated Press
Rodrygo slammed the fifth goal of the game into the roof of the net to get a first Champions League win of the campaignCredit: AFP or licensors
Watch Sergio Ramos and Karim Benzema’s disallowed cheeky penalty routine
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
