Vinicius becomes the playmaker as Real Madrid beat Osasuna
Hampered by the goalkeeper, Vinicius Junior turned playmaker to secure a late breakthrough and help Real Madrid win 2-0 at Osasuna in the Spanish league.
Vinicius, returning from a one-game suspension, led Madrid’s attack on Saturday while Karim Benzema rested ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League round of 16 game at Liverpool.
Vinicus is Madrid’s top scorer with 16 goals in all competitions. But he failed to beat Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera in three one-on-ones before helping Federico Valverde score in the 78th minute at El Sadar Stadium.
Luka Modric clearly played Vinicius on the left side of the box. Two defenders locked him in but the Brazilian striker played a pass to Valverde, who came in a second wave to head into the net.
Marco Asensio added a second goal in stoppage time after 18-year-old Alvaro Rodriguez stole the ball and assisted his substitute.
“Vinicius is a player who always makes the difference,” said Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti. “He doesn’t stop attacking, doesn’t stop dribbling on rivals, he’s an incredible talent.
“It was an important win to keep us in the league race.”
The hard-fought victory cut Madrid’s gap to Barcelona to five points before the leaders host Cadiz on Sunday.
Ancelotti was without three regular starters. Rodrygo started for Benzema. Eduardo Camavinga was in midfield, Aurelien Tchouameni was ill and Dani Ceballos replaced Toni Kroos, who was also sidelined.
Osasuna, who drew 1-1 at Madrid in October, troubled Madrid throughout the game. Moi Gomez, Osasuna’s most powerful player, almost scored in the 63rd round when the midfielder cut back outside the box and hit the post.
Osasuna goalkeeper Herrera was poised to be the player of the match until Valverde finally beat him with his 12th goal of the season.
An own goal in the closing stages cost third-placed Real Sociedad a 1-1 draw at home with Celta Vigo.
Mikel Oyarzabal passed Take Kubo to put Sociedad ahead in the fifth minute. But Celta had an equalizer in stoppage time when Sociedad defender Robin Le Normand accidentally deflected a cross into his own net.
Sergio Canales set up a goal and scored another from the penalty spot to earn a 2-1 win over Valladolid and help fifth-placed Real Betis to within a point of fourth-placed Atletico Madrid.
Canadian striker Cyle Larin briefly equalized in the 30th minute with his third goal in four games for Valladolid since he went on loan from Club Brugge last month.
Mallorca overwhelmed the ten-man Villarreal 4-2 in their biggest win since Javier Aguirre took over as manager last year.
The Balearic side had not scored more than two goals in a game against a top-flight club since Aguirre took charge in March 2022.
Trailing 1-0, Villarreal lost Manu Trigueros to a direct red card when he slapped a rival in the face following a collision.
Midfielder Dani Rodriguez led Mallorca with two goals, both from a header.
