Sergio Ramos has saved Real Madrid on 17 occasions since 2014 Champions League final — and nearly 86 per cent of goals come with his side are drawing or losing
Inspirational captain was the hero again in Naples and not for the first time in this incredible goal scoring campaign
SERGIO RAMOS proved once again he is the man for the big occasions.
With Real Madrid teetering on the brink of elimination, after going a goal down to Napoli in front of a hostile crowd, he scored two headers to flip the game on its head.
Since scoring a dramatic stoppage time equaliser against Atletico Madrid in the 2014 Champions League final, 17 of his 20 goals have come with his side either drawing or losing.
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It’s worth remembering he also scored two in the 4-0 semi-final victory over Bayern Munich.
Ramos has been constant source of criticism due to his spectacularly poor disciplinary record of 21 red cards.
However, that only serves to mask his incredible ability — he has been at the centre of the success achieved by Spain and Real Madrid over the past decade.
And, this season, in particular, he is contributing more crucial goals than anyone in Europe.
Here are all of his match-saving/winning goals since the opener in last season’s Champions League final.
Real Madrid 3 Sevilla 2 (aet) — Uefa Super Cup
In Los Blancos’ very first match after that dramatic penalty shoot-out victory in Milan, Ramos is remarkably at it again.
With his side trailing three minutes into stoppage time, the inspirational captain pops up force extra-time.
And, a minute before the match was set to go to penalties, Dani Carvajal stepped up to net a sublime winner and earn the second trophy of the Zinedine Zidane era.
Real Madrid 1 Villarreal 1 — La Liga
Real Madrid may have missed out on a record-breaking 17th consecutive La Liga victory.
But it could have been a lot worse if it wasn’t for Ramos.
Mr. Reliable levelled three minutes into the second-half after the hosts had taken the lead in first-half stoppage time.
Barcelona 1 Real Madrid 1 — La Liga
Barcelona looked certain to break Real Madrid’s unbeaten start to the season.
Luis Suarez opened the scoring for the hosts on 53 as they attempted to claw back some of Los Blancos’ six-point lead at the summit.
But with 90 minutes up on the clock, Ramos headed in a dramatic equaliser.
Real Madrid 3 Deportivo 2 — La Liga
The very next match and he was at it again.
Deportivo came from a goal down to take the lead — only to be pegged back again six minutes from time.
But, two minutes into stoppage time, Ramos was on hand to earn a scarcely-deserved victory.
Sevilla 3-3 Real Madrid — Copa del Rey
This time his goal only served to set up a grand finale.
Ramos converted a penalty as early as the 83rd minute before Karim Benzema equalised four minutes into stoppage time.
Real Madrid 2 Malaga 1 — La Liga
Early goals only in this one.
But plurality is the key.
Napoli 1 Real Madrid 3 — Champions League
The scoreline flattered Real Madrid.
Napoli were by far the better team in the opening 45 minutes and looked driven by the hostile San Paolo crowd.
However, two quick-fire Ramos goals turned the tie on its head and silenced the home fans.