No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeKeylor NavasKeylor Navas stops critical penalty kick to save Real Madrid

Keylor Navas stops critical penalty kick to save Real Madrid

The legend of Costa Rica’s San Keylor continues to grow.

Costa Rican goalie Keylor Navas has looked like the top keeper in Spain’s La Liga so far in his first season as full-time starter with Real Madrid, and again Navas saved “Los Merengues” on Sunday against cross-town rival Atlético Madrid.

After Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos was called for a penalty in the box in the 21st minute, Atlético’s Antoine Griezmann was awarded a penalty kick that would have evened the score. But Navas, who set Real Madrid’s club record with the most consecutive shutouts to start a season, denied the would-be goal by perfectly judging Griezmann’s kick.

An eighth minute goal from striker Karim Benzema gave Real Madrid an early lead in the Derby. Despite Navas’ heroics on the penalty kick save, Atlético’s pesky group of strikers came back to finally tie the score on an 83rd minute goal when Jackson Martínez crossed a ball in traffic that Navas was unable to corral before Luciano Vietto netted the equalizer.

That goal marked just the second score against Navas all season, as he’s recorded five shutouts and has blocked two penalty kicks already on the young season.

Navas’ shutout streak to start the season lasted an incredible 534 minutes, coming just four minutes shy of breaking the all-time La Liga record for the longest span of time without conceding a goal at the start of a season.

One season after former Real Madrid goalie Iker Casillas allowed one goal per every four shot attempts, Navas has only allowed one goal per every 315 minutes of game action in La Liga with 17 saves in seven games.

With a 4-0-3 record, Real Madrid is currently in second place in Spain’s La Liga standings, just one point behind league-leader Villareal.

“¡Que rápido es Keylor Navas!” Watch the entire play:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvbx0LPly4k

 

Trending Now

Meet the Bats of Costa Rica from Tent Makers to Fish Hunters

Costa Rica is home to around 220 species of non-marine mammals. Roughly half of those species, 117 is the current number, are the type...

Flying Around Costa Rica is Easier Than Ever Thanks to Sansa Airlines

The airline recently added two new aircraft to its fleet, bringing their total to twelve. That increase allows SANSA to boost service to smaller...

Strong Earthquake Shakes Panama’s Pacific Coast, No Damage Reported

A strong earthquake struck off Panama's Pacific coast today, rattling the region but causing no reported injuries or destruction. Seismologists pegged the magnitude at...

Costa Rica Overturns Management Plan for Gandoca-Manzanillo Refuge

Costa Rica’s Constitutional Court has ruled that the General Management Plan for the Gandoca-Manzanillo Mixed Wildlife Refuge is unconstitutional. The decision annuls both the...

Starbucks Expands in Guanacaste with New Store Opening in Tamarindo

Starbucks continues to strengthen its presence in Costa Rica with the opening of its second store in the province of Guanacaste, specifically in Tamarindo....

Costa Rica’s Religious Culture Through the Eyes of a Non-Religious Expat

Costa Rica is the only country in the Americas that has an official religion—Catholicism—enshrined in its constitution. While the Constitution recognizes freedom of worship,...
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica