No Jude, no problem! Vinicius Jr magic bails out Madrid

Vinicius Junior once more takes center stage in the absence of the suspended Jude Bellingham, delivering a crucial brace to propel Los Blancos nearer to clinching the La Liga title.

Carlo Ancelotti's team secured another victory even without their leading goal scorer, solidifying their position as the frontrunners to claim the trophy.

Match report

Real Madrid secured another victory without Jude Bellingham, thanks to Vinicius Junior's two goals leading them to a 4-2 win over Osasuna. Fede Valverde provided three assists, while Brahim Diaz also found the net as Carlo Ancelotti's team strengthened their grip on the league title.

Vinicius opened the scoring by taking advantage of a defensive error and slotting the ball into the bottom corner. Despite Osasuna equalizing through Ante Budimir, Dani Carvajal restored Madrid's lead with a well-placed shot. Goalkeeper Andriy Lunin preserved the advantage with a series of crucial saves amid Osasuna's pressure.

Diaz extended Madrid's lead with a decisive third goal, capitalizing on a scoring opportunity. Vinicius then sealed the victory with an impressive flick. Although Osasuna scored a late consolation, it had little impact on the outcome of the match.

Real Madrid struggled in the first half, frequently losing possession, but an improved performance after halftime led to a convincing victory, earning them three points and moving them closer to reclaiming the league title.

Real Madrid players Rating

Goalkeeper & Defense:

Andriy Lunin (7/10):

Lunin couldn't be faulted for the goals conceded and made some impressive saves in the first half. Despite the imminent return of Thibaut Courtois, Lunin has performed admirably as a stand-in.

Dani Carvajal (7/10):

Carvajal showed composure in scoring his fifth goal of the season and remained active on the right flank, contributing to the attack whenever possible.

Aurelien Tchouameni (6/10):

Tchouameni, although playing out of position as a center-back, delivered another solid performance. He had little to do defensively, and the goals conceded were not his responsibility.

Antonio Rudiger (7/10):

Rudiger was fortunate to avoid conceding a penalty after a robust challenge but demonstrated improved composure in the second half.

Ferland Mendy (6/10):

Mendy appeared slightly unsettled at times, particularly under pressure from Osasuna's high pressing tactics.

Midfield

Eduardo Camavinga (7/10):

Camavinga displayed his willingness to engage in midfield battles and successfully disrupted several opposition counter-attacks.

Federico Valverde (8/10):

Valverde's exquisite pass led to Carvajal's goal, and he also provided the assist for Diaz's goal. His third assist came with a clever flick to set up Vinicius.

Toni Kroos (7/10):

Kroos showcased his precision on the ball, rarely misplacing a pass. However, he struggled to assert himself in the midfield chaos of the first half.

Brahim Diaz (7/10):

Diaz was dynamic in the attacking midfield role, creating opportunities and ultimately sealing the win with a well-taken goal.

Attack

Vinicius Jr (9/10):

Vinicius displayed clinical finishing with both of his goals and caused constant problems for the opposition defense throughout the match. The only downside was receiving a yellow card, resulting in him missing the next match.

Rodrygo (6/10):

Although not as influential as his striking counterpart, Rodrygo had some promising moments. While he may be experiencing a dry spell in terms of goals, there's optimism that his scoring touch will return soon.

Substitutes & Manager

Luka Modric (7/10):

Modric made a positive impact during his 20-minute stint on the field, proving to be a valuable option off the bench.

Nacho (6/10):

Nacho was absent during Osasuna's second goal, but fortunately, it didn't affect the final result.

Lucas Vazquez (N/A):

Vazquez had a goal disallowed for offside after coming on as a substitute.

Arda Guler (N/A):

Guler gained more match experience with another appearance off the bench.

Fran Garcia (N/A):

Garcia didn't have enough time to make a notable contribution.

Carlo Ancelotti (7/10):

Ancelotti may be frustrated by the lack of control his team had in the first half, but they improved in the second period and secured a dominant victory. With the title within reach, Ancelotti's side appears poised for success.