Los Blancos striker Karim Benzema missed twice from the spot, yet his side emerged 3-1 winners over Osasuna from their Wednesday LaLiga match. As such, Carlo Ancelotti’s men took a step closer to their 35th LaLiga title.
The in-form Benzema failed to find the net himself despite ample opportunities – more on that later – but he did set David Alaba up for the opening goal of the game in the 12th minute. The Frenchman’s first-time pass on the volley from the right side of the box was converted by Alaba on the second attempt – and Real led.
Osasuna found a way back into the match with their next attack. Chimy Avilla drilled the ball across the box – which also took a deflection off of Nacho Fernandez – and it was touched in at the back post by Ante Budimir.
Nonetheless, Ancelotti’s men still went into the break ahead, as, in the 45th minute, Marco Asensio tapped the ball into the net from close range after Sergio Herrera had made a save to deny Dani Ceballos.
Madrid were awarded the first of their two penalties in the 51st minute – for a handball offense by Avila. Benzema stepped up, went to his left with the kick, but was denied by Herrera. Seven minutes later, the scenario repeated itself.
It took until the 96th-minute for Real to seal the points firmly. Vinicius Jr came off the bench to set up the goal for Lucas Vazquez, who converted his chance from the middle of the box.
Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid faced Granada in their 33rd game of the season. Granada had appointed former-Real Madrid player and assistant manager Aitor Karanka as their new manager on Monday, and, despite the limited time he had spent at the new club, the Spaniard managed to hold to their seventh draw of the season.
Granada forced Atletico to shoot from outside the box for much of the fixture. The Rojiblancos’ best opportunities came late in the match, when, in the 88th minute Stefan Savic glanced a header wide, and a minute later, Matheus Cunha rattled the post from close range. Atletico’s seventh draw of the season.
