Napoli 1-3 Real Madrid, the game where the Men In Whites came from a goal behind against Napoli and entered the Champions League quarter-finals with a 6-2 aggregate. It was a fabulous hour or so of dramatic, intense and high-tempo football, followed by an exceptional tables-turning final half-hour in which Real Madrid marched through.
While Napoli had an utterly dominant first half and took the lead in the 24th minute through Mertens’ strike and questioned Navas on numerous occasions, it was Real Madrid that had the upper hand in the second half with a candy that the hosts couldn’t get hold of.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored plenty of goals in group stages, provided various reminders of his presence at the venue but his efforts never crossed the finish line. Cometh the hour cometh the man, Sergio Ramos again came to the rescue of Real Madrid in the 51st minute and headed the ball straight into nets, on Toni Kroos’ left-wing corner, going airborne. Six minutes later, the defender struck again. Kross, for the second time, passed from the corner but this time from the right and Ramos sent a bullet header into the net before the ball deflected off Mertens.
This head…
Bought La Decima…
And bought la UnDecima…
And we'll lead us to DuoDecima…@SergioRamos pic.twitter.com/B5GTxEIbxJ— SocialRMadrid (@Socia1RMadrid) March 7, 2017
Morata sealed the deal for Real Madrid and left Napoli devoid of craftsmanship in the midfield when Marcelo passed the ball to Ronaldo inside the penalty area, and as Reina failed to hold on, Morata thumped in the rebound.
Zidane's Real Madrid is the first Spanish team EVER to defeat Napoli at the San Paolo. pic.twitter.com/ZPjjhH8ua9
— Real Madrid Stats (@RMadrid_Stats) March 7, 2017
We couldn’t help but remember the 2014 Champions League final where Ramos stole a victory from Atletico’s jaws and gave Real Madrid the 10th Champions League crown. Moreover, in the semi-final, he scored the two opening goals against Bayern Munich in the famous 4-0 away win.
Interestingly, Sergio Ramos’ last seven goals in the Champions League have all come in knock-out stages, making him the best big-game player in the world.
Some Stats:
- Real Madrid are witnessing their longest run without defeat with as they remain unbeaten in 12 Champions League matches (W7, D5)
- For the Seventh consecutive time, Real Madrid has reached the Champions League quarter-finals.
- Dries Mertens has now scored 17 times in his last 16 appearances.
As expected, Twitter went haywire after witnessing the Captain striking twice and him stealing the spotlight, once again, from Cristiano Ronaldo and the front company.
Cristiano Ronaldo: Has failed to score in six Champions League matches in a row for the first time since 2008 #NapoliRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/7xVd4vjTGS
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) March 7, 2017
https://twitter.com/CR7Minutes/status/839232070320865280
https://twitter.com/Priya8Ramesh/status/839219744561590272
thank you so much @SergioRamos pic.twitter.com/Ty0hY77IRq
— Yara (@YaraMadridista) March 7, 2017
https://twitter.com/Dybalance/status/839232068156542976
Sergio Ramos' forehead has to be worth atleast 45m in todays transfer market tbf
— Brad Emerson (@BradEms97) March 7, 2017
Zidane wins his 50th match with Real Madrid after 68 matches (13 draws & 5 defeats). pic.twitter.com/pTR5ELI2Si
— SB (@Realmadridplace) March 7, 2017