Osasuna 1-3 Real Madrid: Benz misses pens but Los Blancos march on
The title is virtually a formality now for Carlo Ancelotti's side who rotated and still won comfortably
Real Madrid earned a tough win at Osasuna to take a step closer to the title, despite Karim Benzema seeing two penalties saved by Sergio Herrera.
Carlo Ancelotti rotated various players, including Vinicius Junior, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric among others, but did not pay the price.
Los Blancos took the lead through defender David Alaba after a clever free-kick routine which saw Benzema feed the Austrian.
However Budimir levelled for the hosts a minute later, stabbing home at the back post after a cross shot fell into his path.
And just before half-time, Marco Asensio tapped home after a Dani Ceballos effort had been parried into his path by Herrera.
Madrid were dealt a blow when Alaba picked up a knock and had to go off for Dani Carvajal at half-time.
Then two more when Herrera twice dived to his bottom right corner to turn away two Benzema penalties, the first for a clear handball but the second when Rodrygo fell easily.
Madrid should have wrapped up the win with a third but Nacho and then Vinicius, on as a sub, missed big chances.
Eventually Lucas Vazquez ended it in stoppage time when Vinicius, through again, unselfishly crossed for the Spaniard to convert.
The result leaves Madrid 17 points clear of second place Atletico Madrid with five games to go, although Barcelona can move second if they win against Real Sociedad on Thursday, one of two games they now have in hand.
Topics with the letter
