April 21, (THEWILL) – Spanish giants, Real Madrid, all but mathematically confirmed the retaking of their La Liga crown on Wednesday night, as they earned a gripping 3-1 win at Osasuna.
First-half goals from David Alaba and Marco Asensio coupled with Lucas Vazquez’s last-minute strike, were enough to make sure a second-period brace of missed penalties by Karim Benzema did not cost Los Blancos any dropped points.
The results from the showdown of an action-packed victory puts Carlo Ancelotti’s side 17 points clear at the La Liga summit for at least a day or so as they now have one grip firmly on the title.
A lively beginning to the game against Osasuna set the tone for an exciting evening, as both sides threatened in the respective final thirds before scoring inside 14 minutes.
It was the visiting side’s quality that showed first, though, when the deadlock was broken in the 12th minute.
The goal was set up by a perfectly measured cross from Dani Ceballos, before Benzema’s cutback provided Alaba with an opportunity he could not pass up from a few yards away, playing an unintended one-two with the hosts’ goalkeeper before shoving the ball into the net.
Osasuna, on the other hand, levelled the score a few minutes later when Ante Budimir showed terrific reactions to put out a toe at the back post and tap a fizzed delivery from the right-hand side into a helpless Thibaut Courtois’ net.
While Real Madrid controlled possession, the hosts continued to threaten on the break, and they thought they had scored a second goal shortly after the half-hour mark. Budimir’s jubilation was cut short by the linesman’s flag after beautifully chesting the ball down and scuffing a volleyed effort into the bottom corner.
Just before the referee blew for the halftime break, having the lion’s share of the ball paid off. After Eduardo Camavinga’s magnificent lofted ball in behind the Osasuna defence line had first picked out the Spaniard, Asensio was on hand to touch the ball in from close range, benefiting from a rebounded Ceballos effort.
Ancelotti’s side were awarded a penalty minutes after Courtois was forced into a Superman-style save at one end. As he slid in for a tackle, Rodrygo’s twisting and turning forced Ezequiel Avila into a handball.
However, Benzema failed to give Real a two-goal lead when Sergio Herrera parried his spot kick out for a corner.
Surprisingly, just seven minutes later, the Frenchman was awarded another chance from 12 yards, after Rodrygo’s searing pace won the visitors another penalty just before the hour mark.
Yet, the story remained the same, as both Benzema and the goalkeeper went in the same direction and the Frenchman was denied by the Osasuna goalkeeper.
There was one more noteworthy moment for the visitors in what had been a very quiet conclusion to the proceedings. Vinicius Junior, who had missed a gilt-edged chance minutes before, pounced onto Benzema’s wonderful pass and squared for a grateful Vazquez, who scored with aplomb in the sixth minute of stoppage time.
As they prepare for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Manchester City next week, Ancelotti’s men have established a genuinely unassailable domestic position.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
