Sergio Ramos made his mark on Monterrey sooner than expected. In his third appearance for the Liga MX side, the Spanish defender slammed home a header that silenced the Cruz Azul crowd. His second goal in Mexico came in the 12th minute, setting the tone for a tense 1-1 draw at Estadio Azteca.
Monterrey had come into the match seeking stability after a patchy run of form. The early corner kick they earned felt like a spark of momentum. Sergio Canales stepped up to deliver the cross, and Ramos, never one to shy away from aerial challenges, rose high before nodding the ball into the net. The stadium paused momentarily, then erupted in equal parts awe and frustration.
The rest of the match was far from straightforward. Ignacio Rivero leveled the score for Cruz Azul in the 21st minute with a well-timed header of his own. Tensions flared. Gonzalo Piovi’s red card left Cruz Azul down to ten men, yet Monterrey couldn’t capitalize. Despite controlling long spells of possession, they settled for a single point.
Ramos was upbeat about his own contribution, posting on social media afterward, “We return home with a draw and room for improvement. Happy with my second goal, we continue to work hard.” That attitude mirrors why Monterrey’s head coach, Martín Demichelis, has no doubts about the veteran’s potential.
A Second Goal and a Growing Legend
Demichelis confronted lingering questions around Ramos’ age and recent inactivity. “Some doubted Sergio for his inactivity and his age, but he has demonstrated why he has that great international trajectory. He is the magician, corroborates it with every participation,” the coach remarked. The trust between them is evident on the field, as Ramos has already proven his readiness to anchor the defense and threaten at set pieces.
In his debut goal for Monterrey, Ramos showed a glimpse of his trademark determination. That strike played a key role in a 4-2 victory over Santos Laguna, energizing a team and fan base eager to see his leadership. Now, with two goals in three matches, the 38-year-old shows his influence extends beyond the back line.
