MADRID SKIPPER SERGIO RAMOS EQUALS RECORD FOR RED CARDS

BARCELONA: Sergio Ramos now holds the joint-record for most red cards in LaLiga history after receiving his 18th in Real Madrid’s victory over Deportivo La Coruna. Real Madrid won 3-0 at the Riazor on Sunday, with Gareth Bale, Casemiro and Toni Kroos all scoring in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo.

But the visitors’ captain Ramos was involved in controversy. He was fortunate only to receive a booking in the 53rd minute for raising his hand to the face of Depor defender Fabian Schar, who was also booked, as the pair argued over whether Madrid should have kicked the ball out of play while Zakaria Bakkali was down injured. Sergio Ramos, 31, joins former Barcelona and Sevilla defender Pablo Alfaro and Real Zaragoza legend Xavi Aguado on 18 league red cards. The defender was sent off once last season - against Barcelona in April - having received his marching orders twice in 2015-16.

INTER, MILAN MATCH JUVE’S WINNING STARTS

MILAN: Inter captain Mauro Icardi hit a brace and Ivorian Franck Kessie opened his AC Milan account as the northern giants matched Juventus’s winning start to the Serie A season with respective 3-0 victories.

Left in the shade by Juventus for the past six seasons, both Inter and Milan are hoping to turn the tables and challenge for the scudetto on their way to claiming one of four Champions League places.

And neither of the San Siro giants disappointed on their way to going joint top of the table with Juventus, Napoli, Chievo, Sampdoria and Roma also sitting on three points following opening day victories. Icardi bore the brunt of the blame for much of Inter’s disastrous campaign last season, which left them in seventh and out of Europe.

But at a packed San Siro and under the watchful eyes of new Inter coach Luciano Spalletti, the Argentina international made amends with a confident firsthalf brace that included a sixthminute penalty after he was caught by Fiorentina defender Davide Astori on the edge of the area.