Real Madrid suffer shock loss as Sergio Ramos sees red

Sergio Ramos was sent off yet again as Real Madrid crashed to a surprise 2-1 loss to Girona in LaLiga.

The Real captain received his 25th red card in club football as Girona came from behind to claim an unexpected victory at the Bernabeu Stadium with goals from Cristhian Stuani and Portu.

Defeat ended Real’s five-match winning run and left them third in the table, nine points behind leaders Barcelona.

It was a result that seemed unlikely at half-time with Real having dominated the opening period and taken a 25th-minute lead through Casemiro.

But the European champions failed to make the most of their superiority and lost control in the second half.

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois almost snatched a point when he headed wide having gone forward for an injury-time corner.

Girona first showed their threat as Stuani broke into the area early on but Courtois met him and smothered his effort.

Real then took control with Lucas Vazquez skipping through on goal after linking well with Toni Kroos, but Yassine Bounou produced a fine save.

Real threatened again when Marco Asensio created an opening and whipped in a dangerous low cross but nobody could get a touch. The hosts were then almost caught out as Girona quickly countered and Stuani lashed in another shot, but Courtois pushed away.

Real went ahead when Casemiro rose to head home a Kroos free-kick.

That lifted the hosts and Karim Benzema was inches away from doubling the lead as he stretched to reach an Alvaro Odriozola cross. Marcelo then fired over and had a strike ruled out for offside on the stroke of half-time.

Marcelo forced a save from Bounou early in the second period and Benzema headed a clear chance into the side-netting as Real stepped up the pressure.

But they were to pay for their profigacy as Girona fought back.

They served a warning just before the hour when Anthony Lozano tested Courtois with a header and Aleix Garcia wastefully slammed the rebound over the bar.

Their equaliser came from the penalty spot after Stuani headed against the post and Douglas Luiz’s follow-up attempt was blocked by the arm of Ramos. Stuani coolly slotted home.

Real were stunned and they had a narrow escape when Portu hit the woodwork with a powerful drive.

The visitors pushed on and were rewarded 15 minutes from time. Lozano extended Courtois with a superb low curling shot and the keeper could only parry. Portu bravely rushed in to head the loose ball into the net.

Real tried to respond with substitute Vinicius Junior twice going close with long-range efforts.

Their hopes seemed over when Ramos received a second caution for dangerous play after catching an opponent with an overhead kick in the last minute.

There was time for one last chance but Courtois’ header flew narrowly wide.