Stymied by the goalkeeper, Vinícius Júnior turned playmaker to arrange a late breakthrough and assist Real Madrid win at Osasuna 2-0 within the Spanish league on Saturday.
Vinícius, again from a one-game suspension, led Madrid’s assault whereas Karim Benzema rested forward of Tuesday’s recreation at Liverpool within the Champions League spherical of 16.
Vinícus has emerged as Madrid’s prime scorer with 16 throughout all competitions. But he didn’t beat Osasuna goalie Sergio Herrera on three one-on-one conditions earlier than aiding Federico Valverde within the 78th minute at El Sadar Stadium.
Luka Modric performed Vinícius clear down the left facet of the world. Two defenders hemmed him in, however the Brazil ahead flipped a cross to Valverde arriving in a second wave to steer into the online.
Marco Asensio added a second objective in harm time after 18-year-old Álvaro Rodríguez stole the ball and assisted his fellow substitute.
“Vinícius is a player who always makes the difference,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti mentioned. “When we started playing more in open space in the second half that was when he took charge. He is a fantastic player, he doesn’t stop attacking, doesn’t stop dribbling at rivals, he is an incredible talent.
“This was an important win to keep us in the league race.”
The hard-fought victory closed Madrid’s hole with Barcelona to 5 factors earlier than the chief hosts Cadiz on Sunday.
Ancelotti was with out three common starters. Rodrygo began for Benzema. Eduardo Camavinga anchored the midfield with Aurélien Tchouaméni sick, and Dani Ceballos stuffed in for Toni Kroos, who additionally rested.
Osasuna, which drew at Madrid 1-1 in October, prompted Madrid issues all recreation lengthy with its defenders chasing the ball all around the pitch. Moi Gómez, Osasuna’s most incisive participant, went near scoring within the 63rd when the midfielder reduce exterior the world and struck the put up.
“It is too bad, we made a huge effort, but you have to be perfect to take points in a game like this,” mentioned coach Jagoba Arrasate, whose Osasuna is in tenth place and has reached the Copa del Rey semifinals.
Osasuna goalie Herrera was poised to be the participant of the match till Valverde lastly beat him for his twelfth objective of the marketing campaign.
“We know that it is always tough to play here, against a team that always fights to the end,” Valverde mentioned. “As the clock ticks down you feel the fatigue after so many games, but the goal set us on our way.”
OWN GOAL
An personal objective within the last moments price third-placed Real Sociedad a 1-1 draw at house with Celta Vigo.
Mikel Oyarzabal drove in a cross by Take Kubo to offer Sociedad a fifth-minute lead. But Celta was gifted a stoppage-time equalizer when Sociedad defender Robin Le Normand inadvertently redirected a cross into his personal internet.
CANALES LEADS
Sergio Canales arrange one objective and scored one other from the penalty spot to guide a 2-1 win over Valladolid and assist fifth-placed Real Betis near inside one level of Atletico Madrid in fourth.
Canada ahead Cyle Larin briefly pulled the guests stage within the thirtieth together with his third objective in 4 appearances for Valladolid since arriving on mortgage from Club Brugge final month.
MALLORCA ROLLS
Mallorca rolled over 10-man Villarreal 4-2 for its greatest win since Javier Aguirre grew to become the coach final yr.
The group from the Balaeric Islands had by no means scored greater than two in a recreation towards a top-flight group since Aguirre took over in March 2022.
Trailing 1-0, Villarreal misplaced Manu Trigueros to a direct purple card when he swiped on the face of a rival following a collision.
Midfielder Dani Rodríguez led Mallorca with two objectives, each from headers.
Source web site: www.hindustantimes.com
