Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter
Sergio Ramos has taken a thinly-veiled swipe at England forward Raheem Sterling after being accused of stamping on the Manchester City man during Spain's 3-2 home defeat in Seville on Monday night.
The Real Madrid captain, a globally renowned purveyor of the dark arts, had been accused by England fans of stamping on Sterling in the penalty area as Spain flailed against Gareth Southgate's men at the Benito Villamarin.
Videos of the incident show Sterling rolling on the ground in pain before Ramos even approached him, but the central defender then jogs away, stepping over Sterling.
But Ramos, clearly rattled by the accusations and struggling for form at club and international level, moved to clear his name by posting a video that appears to simply show him stepping over the England goalscorer's leg.
It has been a difficult week for Ramos, who has endured some strong criticism from the Spanish press.
"Ramos seems to be so hellbent on scoring, so much that he lets his defensive responsibilities slip," wrote columnist Alfredo Relano in AS.
Show all 22 1 /22Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings Marcus Rashford - 8/10 Rashford took his goal really nicely and played a gorgeous pass for England’s opener, but it is for his workrate that he earns high marks. His pace really worries teams and there was a sense tonight that he was a little more comfortable tucked inside rather than on the wide extremes. Tireless and diligent in his defensive work, Rashford never seemed to stop running and battling.
Action Images via Reuters
Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings Harry Kane - 8/10 He would have loved a goal but this was a magnificent performance from Kane. Dominated the Spanish defence with his physicality,
Action Images via Reuters
Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings Raheem Sterling - 7/10 Two very welcome goals to break his drought. The first was an excellent finish. Sterling was busy and a menace in behind that Spain struggled to deal with.
AP
Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings Ross Barkley - 7/10 Accomplished performance. Similarly to Winks showed his defensive steel and always looked forward when on the ball. Delectable clipped ball to Kane for Sterling’s second.
Action Images via Reuters
Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings Eric Dier - 7/10 Much-maligned in an England shirt, this was a good performance from Dier. His early clattering of Sergio Ramos was a bit of a tone-setter and seemed to almost lift England. Stout at the heart of midfield.
Action Images via Reuters
Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings Harry Winks - 6/10 Winks was very quiet, but that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. A player more for the game where England are dominant in possession, but his positional sense and discipline was strong throughout.
Getty Images
Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings Ben Chilwell - 6/10 A few nervy moments, but generally solid. Spain certainly didn’t exploit him at any point, and Chilwell stuck to his task well, blocking several attempted crosses. Kept going through the 90 minutes.
Action Images via Reuters
Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings Harry Maguire - 8/10 A few nervy moments, but generally solid. Spain certainly didn’t exploit him at any point, and Chilwell stuck to his task well, blocking several attempted crosses. Kept going through the 90 minutes.
Getty Images
Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings Joe Gomez - 7/10 Untroubled and unperturbed throughout the game. Gomez used the ball well and did all his defensive work effectively.
Action Images via Reuters
Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings Kieran Trippier - 7/10 The Tottenham full-back ran himself virtually into the ground before being replaced. Asensio got no joy against Trippier. An impressive defensive performance, even if he had little chance to get forward.
Getty Images
Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings Jordan Pickford - 6/10 His well-directed long balls were influential in both the first and second goals. Very, very fortunate not to concede a penalty for his pulling back of Rodrigo after messing about in his own area. Tidy generally, and similarly to De Gea had very little to do saves-wise.
Action Images via Reuters
Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings Marco Asensio - 5/10 Asensio was probably Spain’s most disappointing player, his largely excellent set-pieces aside. He earns a slight rating jump for that, but otherwise was wasteful and lacked drive.
Getty Images
Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings Rodrigo - 5/10 Rodrigo should have had a penalty, but otherwise a quiet game. Maguire and Gomez handled him rather easily.
AFP/Getty Images
Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings Iago Aspas - 5/10 Aspas was relatively lively, but didn’t look a natural fit on the right wing. Substituted for the more impressive Paco Alcacer.
Getty Images
Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings Saul - 5/10 Kept possession well, but similarly to his midfield cohorts Saul did little to influence outside of the middle of the park. Replaced by Dani Ceballos as Spain chased an unlikely comeback, and Ceballos looked to provide more.
Getty Images
Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings Sergio Busquets - 6/10 As ever the tall midfield pivot was very accomplished in possession, but little else from Busquets.
Getty Images
Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings Thiago - 6/10 Plenty of flashy touches and some lovely bits and pieces from Thiago, but the midfielder failed to produce the incisive pass Spain need to break down England’s well-structured defence.
Getty Images
Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings Marcos Alonso - 5/10 Raheem Sterling had plenty of joy down the forward-minded full-back’s channel and looked a threat in behind every time England had the ball at times. Alonso did offer a useful outlet going forward, but the ability in the final third typical of the Chelsea man’s game was not apparent.
AFP/Getty Images
Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings Sergio Ramos - 6/10 Failed to effectively organise the Spanish defence’s high line, and Kane bullied both he and Nacho aerially at times. Ramos kept fighting until the death, however, and deserves kudos for lifting his side in the second half. He took his consolation goal well.
Getty Images
Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings Nacho - 5/10 Harry Kane made Nacho’s life difficult throughout and the Real Madrid defender was part of a disjointed defence exploited badly by England for the three goals.
Action Images via Reuters
Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings Jonny - 5/10 Jonny struggled with Marcus Rashford’s pace relatively frequently during the game. He was probably the weakest Spanish player on the ball and provided little of quality when pressing forward.
PA
Spain vs England – Nations League player ratings David De Gea - 6/10 No saves from the Manchester United goalkeeper on the night as England scored from each of their shots on target. De Gea could do little about the goals, but did give the ball away carelessly a couple of times early on. Nothing of real note, however.
AP
"[To be] missing in action for the three goals scored by England to then bag a late consolation goal in the 97th minute is bad business in my book and this is what we witnessed on Monday night in Seville.
"He cannot just abandon his station in the middle of a game as we saw on Monday... he needs to find his focus."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies