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23rd Apr 2017

Sergio Ramos receives straight red for this ludicrous challenge on Lionel Messi

What did he expect to happen?

JOE

Seriously, what did he expect to happen here?

For Zinedine Zidane, this was a real chance for his side to take a significant step towards their first La Liga title since 2012. A win (or even a draw) against Barcelona would keep them well ahead of their great rivals.

Having taken a first half lead, Lionel Messi had levelled things before the break, only for Ivan Rakitic to put the visitors ahead. As things stood, Barca were back in contention.

Cool heads were needed from Real’s players as frustration grew in the Bernabeu crowd. Sergio Ramos, one of their most experienced players, couldn’t provide this.

With Messi in possession, he lunged in, clearly off the ground and out of control. Sure, there was little contact made, but such a challenge was only ever going to end up with the referee showing him a red card.

Stupidity.

At this point, you’d have expected Barca to see out the final minutes, but Real managed to score an equaliser through James Rodriguez. However, just as it looked that Real had done enough to get a point, up stepped Messi with a stoppage time winner.

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