Real Madrid closed the gap between themselves and LaLiga leaders Barcelona to five points with a 2-0 win over CA Osasuna at El Sadar, extending their unbeaten run against Los Rojillos to 17 matches in all competitions.
There was a lively start in Pamplona, as Vinícius Júnior outmuscled Jon Moncayola and saw his effort saved by Sergio Herrera, before a fierce long-range strike from Moi Gómez was pushed to safety by Thibaut Courtois.
Los Rojillos were looking dangerous on the break, and Lucas Torró gesticulated in frustration to Ante Budimir after the Croatia international inadvertently intercepted a Manu Sánchez cross heading in his direction.
Budimir was involved in the thick of the action again when he fired wide from just outside the box.
Tensions started to boil over at the close of the half with bookings for Moncayola and Gomez, as Carlo Ancelotti remonstrated with the officials at HT regarding the treatment of Vinícius, who was also shown a yellow card late on.
Rodrygo was largely anonymous in the opening 45 minutes, but came within inches of breaking the deadlock with a curling effort that flew just inches past the far post.
Real Madrid began the second half brightly, and had a goal ruled out for offside after Vinícius ran too early to meet David Alaba’s through ball.
The contest was starting to come to life, as a Gomez effort clipped the outside of the post before Moncayola flashed a shot wide.
The hosts would come to rue those missed opportunities when Federico Valverde surged into the box to meet Vinícius’ cross with a clinical first-time, side-footed finish.
It was the Uruguay international’s first LaLiga goal since October, and Osasuna had that sinking feeling in this fixture once again.
Vinícius thought he had doubled Real’s lead, but his effort was ruled out for offside after Álvaro Martín was judged to be in an offside position.
However, substitute Marco Asensio did double Los Blancos’ lead in stoppage time with a left-footed strike from inside the box to pile the pressure on Barcelona ahead of facing Cádiz tomorrow.
As for Osasuna, they remain 10th after an eighth league defeat of the season.