MADRID (Spain): Sergio Ramos’ sensational free-kick helped Real Madrid move back above Barcelona to the top of La Liga as they defeated Real Mallorca 2-0 on Wednesday.
Ramos brushed aside Gareth Bale to take the shot and justified his claim with a curling strike into the top corner after 19-year-old Vinicius Junior had put Madrid in front in the first half.
Madrid’s victory at the Alfredo di Stefano Stadium means they are level again on points with Barcelona but sit above their title rivals in the table due to a superior record head to head.
Mallorca’s Romero makes history
Meanwhile, Real Mallorca’s Luka Romero made history by becoming the youngest player ever to play in La Liga, aged 15 years and 219 days.
Romero beat the record held for 81 years by Francisco Bao Rodriguez, known as Samson, who played on December 31, 1939 aged 15 and 255 days for Celta Vigo against Sevilla.
After training with Mallorca’s senior team for the first time on June 1, Romero, who plays as an attacking midfielder, came on as a substitute in the 83rd minute of the game at Real Madrid.
Real Sociedad’s top-four hopes take another blow
Real Sociedad’s surprise challenge for Champions League qualification appears to be over after they suffered a third consecutive defeat at home to Celta Vigo.
La Real have taken just a point from their four games since La Liga restarted on June 11 and now sit seventh, six points adrift of Sevilla in fourth.