Real Madrid 2-0 Osasuna: result, goals, summary | LaLiga

Match report: Real Madrid 2-0 Osasuna 

Reuters - Real Madrid's Brazilian duo Eder Militao and Casemiro struck in the second half to secure a 2-0 home win over stubborn Osasuna on Saturday and keep the heat on La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid.

Defender Militao finally prised open the visitors by heading home from a corner in the 76th minute for his first league goal of the season.

Midfielder Casemiro made sure of the points four minutes later with a fortuitous strike when he attempted to control a through ball from Karim Benzema and sent it trickling into the bottom corner of the net, flummoxing keeper Sergio Herrera.

The win took second-placed Real to 74 points from 34 games after Atletico had moved onto 76 by riding their luck to win 1-0 at Elche earlier on Saturday. Fellow title rivals Barcelona and Sevilla are in action on Sunday and Monday respectively.

Zinedine Zidane post-match: "I'm very happy with the result. It wasn't easy. They defended very well but in the end, with patience, we got there. We had plenty of chances in the first half. Their keeper made three saves.

"I'm happy for Militao. When he wasn't playing, he worked hard, waited for his chances and got it.

We hope Varane isn't out for Chelsea, but we have to have on him. Regarding Hazard, we know what he can do and I'm happy with how he performed. We'll go little by little with him. With Blanco, well he played against Cádiz and again tonight. He's a Castilla player but he played well with us, just like Gutierrez. 

"When teams play against us, they're at their very best. They give it their all and it's hard for us. Today, we have three points and that's it.

"Physically we're improving, we're going well mentally and physically. I hope Ramos is back. If he's good, he'll be with us."

LaLiga title race

Real Madrid stay hot on Atlético's heels. Barcelona and Sevilla still have to play this weekend. This league is going down to the wire!

Eder Militao post-match: "I had two chances to score in the first half before scoring my goal. We need to take it one game at a time and keep winning. I think in the second half we picked it up and got the two goals. I've been working every day to get into the team. We want to win every competition we're in. We have enough in the tank to keep giving more. 

Second half goals from Militao and Casemiro give Madrid a vital win tonight. They now move onto 74 points, just two off Atlético.

FT: Real Madrid 2-0 Osasuna

3 minutes of injury time!

ISCOOO!

He should really score, does the hard part with the turn. His resulting shot flies left of Herrera's goal. 2-0

Benzema shoots!

Great touch and strike makes Herrera work. The Frenchman is looking to put the game to bed. 

Benzema plays it to Casemiro on the edge of the box, his first touch bounces off his right foot and flies by Herrera into the net. Strange goal from a bad first touch, but Madrid won't care. 

Casemiro's first touch ends up in the net!

Will Madrid now play safe or go for a second?

News just in: Varane has picked up a knock and will go for tests tomorrow. 

This could be a huge goal for Madrid.

Real Madrid 1-0 Osasuna

It's a smashing header from Militao. Zidane enjoyed that one. 

Militao heads home Isco's corner!

Asensio takes the free-kick. David Garcia clears for Osasuna, who are defending with seven men. 0-0

Foul on Rodrygo. Free-kick to Madrid in a very dangerous position. 

Real Madrid change

ON Isco

OFF Hazard

Hazard turns Aridane inside out. The move doesn't result in anything but a nice turn and another sign of the returning Hazard. He's still on the pitch after 70 minutes, good news for Madrid. 

Really good strike from Rodrygo from 25 yards - just the kind of impact Zidane asked for. 

RODRYGO drives wide!

Miguel Gutierrez is a European youth champion with Real Madrid. The left-back is highly rated in Spain. 

MADRID changes

OFF Vinicius & Marcelo

ON Rodrygo & Gutierrez

OSASUNA changes

OFF Avila & Javi Martinez

ON Budimir & Brasanac

Aridane makes a brilliant tackle on Vinicius, who was storming into the box. 

Osasuna are defending deeper as we head into the final 30 minutes. Budimir is about to come in for Arrasate's men. 

Antonio Blanco in action for Madrid vs Osasuna. 

Oier is the player that was booked in the stands. He'll miss Osasuna's next match because of it. You would be raging as manager. 

MILITAO!

Asensio picks out Militao for a volley that flies wide. Militao has had two headers on target and this effort is well wide, but he's creating the space and chances. 

The referee is busy tonight, this time he books one of the Osasuna subs! With no fans in the grounds, referees hear everything! (almost everything)

Moncayola strikes!

Well-hit strike by the young midfielder from distance. Courtois gets down well to keep it out. 0-0

Zizou will be thinking about making a couple of changes coming up to the hour-mark. Madrid have lost some of their zip.  

Still no information coming out on the Varane change. Could be a slight knock. Could also be to give Nacho 45 minutes ahead of Chelsea next week. 

The referee is having a word with goalkeeper Herrera, looks like he's telling him to hurry up with his goal kicks. 

Madrid get us underway for the second half!

Real Madrid change:

ON Nacho

OFF Varane

Madrid have had more possession and some great chances. Osasuna are putting it up to them though and remain in the game. Plenty to look forward to in the second half. 

HT: Real Madrid 0-0 Osasuna

Super header from the Argentine striker, he really gives Courtois no chance. It's the right call.

AVILA SCORES!

But it's offside.

Free-kick for Osasuna on the edge of their box after a foul from Odriozola. 

Militao clears an excellent Javi Martinez cross. It lands in the 6-yard box, Militao leaps highest again to clear the danger. He has been superb since he replaced Sergio Ramos at centre-back.

We're approaching the 40-minute mark in Valdebebas. 

Head to head between Madrid and Osasuna

Madrid really need to win tonight with Atlético now five points ahead of them after their 1-0 win away at Elche earlier today. That goal came from man in form Marcos Llorente. Madrid would never have expected him to turn into the player he has when they sold him to their neighbours. 

VINICIUS!

Asensio picks out Vinicius at the backpost, first touch is sublime, second hits the side-netting. Yes it's somehow still 0-0.

Hazard is looking sharp in his first start since January 30. The Belgian winger has only started nine times all season. Could he be the difference at the business end of the season?

Really entertaining game at the Di Stéfano - both sides have gone very close to taking the lead. 

MILITAO!

Two headers in two minutes from Militao - both on target, full of power. Both saved by Herrera. He's earning his wages tonight!

Hazard has to score! A fantastic left wing cross from Marcelo finds Hazard all alone at the back post...Herrera produces an excellent save. From the resulting corner Militao rises highest to test Herrera again from a header. Herrera comes out on top once again! 0-0

HERRERA STOPS HAZARD!

Courtois saves Madrid again!

Manu Sanchez's left wing cross almost sneaks in from a tight angle, somehow Courtois slaps it away to keep the game at 0-0.

Eder Militao almost puts it in his own net! On a wet night that is a goal! The young defender overhits his back pass to Courtois, the Belgian scurries back to save it from going in. What a disaster that would have been for Madrid. 

Los Rojillos are really threatening Madrid now and have them under pressure at the back. There is quality there with Avila, Torres and Garcia. 

Osasuna free-kick. Torres takes it, Courtois races out to collect it. Poor set piece. Arrasate won't be pleased with that one. 

ASENSIO!

Asensio shoots well over the Osasuna bar. Madrid have now tried four efforts from distance. 0-0

That effort from Casemiro is the type of long-range shot you would expect from Modric or Kroos. He is Brazilian though!

Casemiro tries a Beckham!

The Brazilian takes on Herrera from inside his own half. The ambitious effort sails over the bar!

Avila was linked with a move to Barcelona in Janaury 2020, before he got a serious knee injury that ruled him out for months. 

Chimy Avila shoots!

Excellent footwork from the Argentine. He spins and gets a left-footed shot away. Easy save for Courtois. Avila is a threat to any team in LaLiga. 

Hazard's cross finds Herrera in goal, who spills to Vinicius, but the Brazilian is not able to hit the target. 

Madrid have started well. If you're wondering how Zidane has set up his front four - Asensio is on the right, Vinicius on the left and Hazard in the 10 behind Benzema. 

HAZARD!

Impressive run from Hazard, who just lifts his shot too high. Positive play, he'll be looking to hit the ground running. 

Madrid are without Kroos and Modric tonight. Blanco starts in the middle with Casemiro. 

Real Madrid are playing from left to right as we watch it. 

We're underway!

The players are out the pitch. It's a nice evening in Madrid - a big improvement on the storm witnessed versus Chelsea during the week. 

Hazard starts for Madrid

Eden Hazard makes his first start for Madrid since January 30.

Madrid players warm up in Valdebebas ahead of clash with Osasuna.

Photo: Reuters

Osasuna starting XI

Real Madrid starting XI

Ramos left out of Madrid squad

The defender trained as normal on Friday, but Zidane decided against risking him in tonight's league meeting with Osasuna.

Full story

Real Madrid vs Osasuna

Tonight's match gets underway at 21:00 CEST - we're just 15 minutes away from proceedings. 

Osasuna vs top 4 teams

Arrasate's side will be looking to improve their record against the top 4 teams this season at the Di Stéfano tonight. Via - SofaScore

Real Madrid vs Osasuna: distribution of goals

Karim Benzema is Madrid's top scorer on 21 goals in LaLiga.

Ante Budimir leads the way for Osasuna with 7.

Stats via SofaScore.

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Osasuna visit the Spanish capital 

Jagoba Arrasate takes his side to the Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium to face Real Madrid in the hope of taking all three points back to Pamplona.

Real Madrid vs Osasuna H2H since 99/00

Real Madrid - 21 wins

Osasuna - 5 wins

Draws - 7

Hazard starts vs Osasuna with one eye on Chelsea

Zinedine Zidane has chosen to start Eden Hazard against Osasuna. Hazard made cameo appearances against Real Betis last weekend and versus his former club Chelsea during the week. Tonight's vote of confidence from Zidane could mean he also starts during the week at Stamford Bridge.

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Over the next four days, Real Madrid will be playing to keep their LaLiga and Champions League ambitions alive - and once again, with problems in midfield. Fede Valverde has yet to be given the all-clear after contracting Covid-19, Toni Kroos' fitness remains delicate and Luka Modric has been withstanding the seemingly endless burden of games (he has only missed two games this season). 

Barcelona's slip against Granada has left LaLiga wide open and effectively obliges Madrid to win all of their remaining games - starting with tonight's visit from Osasuna. Zidane has placed his faith in Castilla's Antonio Blanco to provide cover in midfield. The 20-year-old starts in midfield alongside Casemiro.

Read the full story

Osasuna XI to face Real Madrid

Real Madrid vs Osasuna kick-off times

Hazard starts for Real Madrid

Real Madrid's starting XI for the visit of Osasuna: Courtois - Odriozola, Varane, Militao, Marcelo - Casemiro, Blanco - Asensio, Hazard, Vinicius - Benzema.

Osasuna's strong second half of the season can be seen below - they have picked up 24 points in the second round of games in LaLiga.

Osasuna have had a strong second half of the season and sit pretty in mid-table, having practically guaranteed their safety in the last fortnight after a difficult first half of the season. 

Must win game for Real Madrid

Atlético Madrid's 1-0 win away to Elche earlier on Saturday puts the pressure on Madrid tonight. Zidane's men are now five points off leaders Atleti. 

Real Madrid-Osasuna head-to-head

Our friends at SofaScore explain the history between the two sides. Their last clash in January ended 0-0. Madrid's biggest win over Osasuna was a 7-1 thrashing back in 2011.

LALIGA

Real Madrid vs Osasuna: times, TV & how to watch online

Real Madrid host Osasuna in Valdebebas on Saturday with Zinedine Zidane’s side looking to secure three crucial points amid one of the most exciting LaLiga title battles in years.

With just five games left to be played ahead of this weekend’s action, Madrid are one of four teams in the running to be crowned champions, currently sitting second on 71 points, five points behind leaders Atlético who have played an extra game. Barcelona are level on points with Madrid, with Sevilla just one point behind the two sides in fourth place.

All the information you need on when and where to watch Real Madrid host Osasuna at the Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium on Saturday 1 May 2021.

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Hello and welcome to AS English's live coverage of this LaLiga fixture as Real Madrid host Osasuna at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano in Madrid. Kick-off is at 21:00 CEST.