Karim Benzema missed a penalty as Real Madrid were frustrated by a ten man Osasuna at Santiago Bernabeu.
The visitors took a shock lead in the first half before Vinicius Junior returned for Real Madrid. Benzema was then presented with a famous chance to win the game for his side, but hit the ball against the crossbar – missing his third free-kick in a row against Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera.
Real Madrid dominated possession early in the match, with overlapping runs from Dani Carvajal and Ferlando Mendy causing problems for Osasuna’s backline, but it was actually the visitors who created the first real chance of the game. Nacho Vidal had that chance, finding himself completely unmarked and in acres of space to the right of the penalty area, unable to direct the ensuing volley anywhere near the goal.
It was a much, much better chance than what his shot looked like.
Los Blancos then pressed forward, getting the ball to Vinicius Junior with increasing frequency. And the Brazilian won a free-kick from the left wing that almost turned into a goal on the half-hour mark.
Toni Kroos played a dangerous ball into the box where he met Antonio Rudiger, who somewhat disappointedly fired a free header wide of the post. File under ‘better chance the player looked it’ next to Vidal’s volley.
As Real Madrid pressed into the final third, there were gaps in their defensive third – gaps that Osasuna almost took advantage of with a quick counter-attack following a Los Blancos corner. The visitors pushed forward, worked the ball well in the park and found Abde Ezzalzouli on the right of the penalty area. However, the former Barcelona player’s effort on goal hit just wide of the left post.
Osasuna had to pay for missing that chance in the 42nd minute when Vinicius Junior finally broke the deadlock. The striker’s whipped cross from the left wing went past Benzema and Rudiger and into the bottom corner of the net.
The visitors were not deterred even by this concession and equalized in the 50th minute. The goal was scored by Kike Garcia, who took Unai Garcia’s cross past Andriy Lunin and into the back of the net.
Rodrygo wasted a decent chance to take the lead 10 minutes later.
After a frustrating 15 minutes in which Osasuna defended well, Real Madrid were given the chance to go ahead when Benzema was pushed in the penalty area by David Garcia, who was red carded for a foul. Benzema kicked for the ensuing spot-kick and, rather shockingly, the ball went off the crossbar instead of into the box.
A minute later, Benzema had the ball behind the goal but was ruled offside when he intercepted the ball in the penalty area.
Substitute Mariano Diaz had the last chance of the match, who brilliantly headed Federico Valverde’s cross just over the crossbar.
Real Madrid player ratings – La Liga
1. Real Madrid (4-3-3)
GK – Andriy Lunin – 4/10 – Could do nothing about the goal.
RB – Dani Carvajal – 5/10 – Decent going forward, mainly in the first half.
CB – Antonio Rudiger – 5/10 – Missed a decent chance in the first half. Not quite on the same wavelength as Alaba yet.
CB – David Alaba – 5/10 – Caught out a few times defensively, particularly on the counter attack.
LB – Ferland Mendy – 6/10 – A solid outing for the French international.
CM – Dani Ceballos – 3/10 – Quiet and rightfully subbed off.
CM – Aurelien Tchouameni – 4/10 – Slightly sloppy on the ball at times. Not his greatest outing.
CM – Toni Kroos – 6/10 – Switched play brilliantly all evening.
RW – Rodrygo – 6/10 – Missed a decent chance on the hour mark. Much more involved in the second half than he was in the first.
ST – Karim Benzema – 2/10 – He missed his third penalty in a row against Sergio Herrera.
LW – Vinicius Junior – 7/10 – As per, Real Madrid’s liveliest creative outlet. Scored the opener
SUB – Eduardo Camavinga – 5/10 – Much better than Tchouameni when he came on.
SUB – Federico Valverde – 6/10 – Added some much needed impetus.
SUB – Marco Asensio – N/A.
SUB – Eder Militao – N/A.
SUB – Mariano Diaz – 4/10 – Spurned a good chance late on.
