Real Madrid 1 – 0 Getafe
It was starting to get desperate at the Estadio Alfredo di Stefano, scrappy and desperate.
So scrappy and desperate, in fact, that there had been eight bookings (four on each side) and time was running out for Real Madrid to inflict a potentially killer blow in the La Liga title race.
That is until everyone’s favourite pantomime villain stepped forward to have the final say – not for the first time.
Highlights of the game
Just an hour earlier, Sergio Ramos had been at his irritating worst: picking up a yellow card for committing a foul and trying to con the ref.
After shoving Jaime Mata, the Real skipper pretended his opponent had hit him in the face and went down clutching his head.
It was textbook Ramos and yet another reason why opposition fans can’t stand him.
However, with 12 minutes remaining there he was again, converting the moment that mattered to win the game against a Getafe side who deserved better.
Real’s lead at the top may only be four points, but who would bet against Ramos lifting the La Liga trophy in just over a fortnight’s time?
That was a position Zinedine Zidane and his players would have dreamt of only a few weeks ago.
With Barcelona being held to another draw at home by Real’s city rivals, Atletico Madrid, on Tuesday night, Los Blancos are now title favourites.
By the time the final whistle had sounded, the booking tally had risen to 10 but Ramos and his team-mates will not care one jot.
They are five games (and possibly less) from glory.
Before kick-off, Eden Hazard was the notable absentee from Zidane’s squad as the Belgian continues to ease back to full fitness after ankle surgery.
There was a home boost, however, as Lucas Vazquez and Luka Jovic both made the bench (ultimately they were unused substitutes) as they recovered from injury.
The match started with drama of an unexpected kind as Getafe’s David Timor fouled Isco after just 12 seconds to pick up the first caution.
It set the tone for a stop-start first half which also saw Raphael Varane leave the field with an injury sustained when blocking a powerful corner with his face.
Real, bidding to make it six wins in a row, initially threatened early on through Karim Benzema but it was Getafe who matched them all the way and a Mathías Olivera header, as well as efforts from Xabier Etxeita and Mata, tested Thibaut Courtois.
The coach arrived at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez with the team fighting against relegation to Spain’s third tier.
Within the space of a season, they were back in the top flight via a promotion play-off before surprising everyone to finish in the top half of the table.
If that wasn’t enough, Bordalas’ side then qualified for the Europa League last term – a historic achievement for the club.
In that competition this season, they’ve already dumped out Ajax and are aiming to do the same to Inter Milan when the action resumes next month.
There is nothing lucky about their progress either as this game showed.
Into the second half, La Liga highlights remained few but, with each passing minute, Getafe looked like they would comfortably hold on for a point.
Then came the moment which may ultimately be the one that proves pivotal and ensured the pre-match SBOBET La Liga betting odds were justified.
Dani Carvajal was caught by a stray leg from Mathías Olivera inside the box and Ramos did the rest.
The crucial moment in the title race?
Key statistics
Timor’s yellow card after 12 seconds is the fastest La Liga booking since at least 2005-06, according to statisticians Opta.
Ramos has scored his last 21 penalties for Real and Spain. He has also netted in four of his last six games for Real, including two penalties.
This was his 98th goal in his 450th game for the club.
What’s next?
It’s a quick turnaround for both sides now.
Real, in fact, are back in action as soon as Sunday lunchtime when they travel to Athletic Bilbao in La Liga.
Getafe travel to midtable Osasuna later that evening.
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