Real Madrid eke out 2-0 win over Osasuna

Sports Desk, Feb 18 (EFE).- Osasuna held Real Madrid at bay for nearly 80 minutes of Saturday’s LaLiga match in Pamplona, but the Blancos produced two late goals to come away with all 3 points.

The defending champions narrowed the gap to leaders Barcelona to 5 points, but the Blaugrana have a game in hand and will be in action Sunday against 16th-place Cadiz.

Now winless in their last 16 games against the Blancos, Osasuna remain 10th in the table.

A poor pass by Jon Moncayola handed Vinicius Jr. a golden chance in the 10th minute, but Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera reacted in time to deny the Brazilian.

At the other end, Ante Budimir missed the mark on an opportunity to give the hosts the lead in the 43rd minute.

Rodrygo came close for the Blancos early in the second half and Vini put the ball in the net in the 53rd minute, only to see the linesman raise the flag.

Vinicius threatened again five minutes later, but Herrera snatched the ball away before the forward could shoot.

A lightning Osasuna counter in the 57th minute culminated in Moi Gomez strike that hit the post, while Moncayola squandered a great chance in the 66th.

Herrera came out on top again in yet another duel with Vini in the 74th minute, yet could do nothing to stop Fede Valverde from breaking the deadlock four minutes later.

Vinicius saw a second goal disallowed for offside in the final minute of regulation before Marco Asensio nailed down the win in stoppage time. EFE le/dr