CA Osasuna 2-4 Real Madrid: Vinicius Junior dazzles as Blancos power on at top of La Liga

Vinicius Junior scored twice as Real Madrid won 4-2 at Osasuna to move 10 points clear at the top of la Liga.

It was an entertaining match which the home side fully contributed to, but their defence could not contain the rampant Real Madrid talent.

The match was in the balance until just after the hour mark as Ante Budimir's strike sandwiched Vinicius Junior's early opener and Dani Carvajal's smart half-volley.

Real always looked capable of running straight through the Osasuna defence and this happened twice for two goals within the space of three minutes midway through the second half as Brahim Diaz and Vinicius finished coolly.

Osasuna, who stay 10th, kept attacking and substitute Iker Munoz netted in injury time which was a deserved consolation for their input into the game.

Vinicius Junior, as far as we know, does not have the extra-curricular activities of the enigmatic Italian with no reports yet of fireworks let off by the Brazilian inside a bathroom of his Madrid mansion. It really would not seem out of place however, if when slowly circling to take in the reception of the whole stadium, after scoring the cheekiest of second goals, he lifted his shirt to reveal the famous 'Why Always Me?' t-shirt the Italian showed the world in the Manchester derby 13 years ago. He is a player who on occasion must really frustrate Carlo Ancelotti with his indiscipline, shown with his needless booking - his third in consecutive matches in La Liga, to go with two in as many UEFA Champions League games. This will keep him out of the game with Atletico Madrid. However, who could stay mad at a player who showed deadly poaching instincts to rob a defender and score Los Blancos' opener and then produce the most impudent of finishes to complete a brace? Judging by Ancelotti's reaction when taking off the Brazilian, wrapping him in a barehug, the veteran Italian boss must feel he is a player it is best to treat with love and hope his misdeamours do not cost his side.

Vinicius Junior deserves a share of this, but Valverde really seems to be coming into his own in the last few games, taking the creative role in midfield (perhaps enhanced by Jude Bellingham's absence) and shaping games in his side's favour, as he appears capable of filling the void Luka Modric will leave should he, as expected, depart Madrid in the summer. The last three Real goals all came from his assists, a smart turn and hooked cross, a flick-on header (which he got a sore bang on the scone for his troubles), then a smart chest in Bellingham's path.

Osasuna: Sergio Herrera 6; Unai Garcia 5, Catena 4, Herrando 6; Areso 7, Moncayola 6, Torro 6, Moi Gomez 6, Mojica 6; Budimir 7, Arnaiz 7.

Subs: Ruben Garcia 6, Ibanez 6, Munoz 7, Raul Garcia 6, Cruz 6.

Real Madrid: Lunin 6; Carvajal 7, Rudiger 7, Tchouameni 6, Mendy 6; Camavinga 7, Kroos 7, Fede Valverde 9*; Brahim Diaz 8; Vinicius 9, Rodrygo 7.

Subs: Modric 6, Nacho 6, Vazquez 6, Fran Garcia 6, Guler 7.

4' GOAL! OSASUNA 0-1 REAL MADRID (VINICIUS JR) You cannot defend like that against Real Madrid. Catena tried to take on Vinicius Junior 30 yards from his own goal, is dispossessed and then the Brazilian runs diagonally at goal before nudging past the 'keeper for an easy goal.

7' GOAL! OSASUNA (BUDIMIR) 1-1 REAL MADRID! What a start to the game. Real were all at sea defending the set piece. Carvajal inadvertently flicked on to the back post where Herrando turned the ball back across goal where the masked man Budimir turned home.

18' GOAL! OSASUNA 1-2 REAL MADRID (CARVAJAL) Valverde's run is found by a scooped ball from Kroos and he then turns and plays a ball across the area, which the full back angled home with the outside of his right boot on the half volley.

61' GOAL! OSASUNA 1-3 REAL MADRID (BRAHIM) A fantastic finish from the former Milan man.The pitch seemed to open up for him as Lunin's long kick was flicked on by Valverde and then he ran one-on-one with Herrera and coolly slotted past him. His ninth of the season.

64' GOAL! OSASUNA 1-4 REAL MADRID (VINICIUS JR) Valverde latches onto Rudiger's through-ball and then taps square to Vinicius Junior who dribbles into the six-yard box before an impudent dink wide of the goalkeeper, teasing Herrando who tries in vain to clear off the line.

90+1' GOAL! OSASUNA (MUNOZ) 2-4 REAL MADRID Areso pulled a ball back from the by-line and Munoz controlled the ball then drilled low under Lunin's legs for a consolation welcomes by the crowd.

90+4' WHAT AN EFFORT! Guler almost with a goal for the ages from just inside the Osasuna half which saw Herrera hopelessly backpedalling, but the ball smacked against the crossbar.

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