La Liga: Jude Bellingham strikes twice as Real Madrid hammer Osasuna

Jude Bellingham continued his devastating form with a brace as Real Madrid thrashed Osasuna 4-0 to return to the top of La Liga on Saturday.

Girona’s 1-0 win at Cadiz temporarily gave the Catalan minnows a one-point lead but Real Madrid cruised to victory at the Santiago Bernabeu to reclaim first place, with Vinicius Junior and Joselu also scoring in the rout.

England international Jude Bellingham, the division’s top scorer with eight goals, was at his unstoppable best once more in the final third.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has shifted the former Borussia Dortmund player into a more attacking role behind two central strikers and it has paid dividends.

After scoring a brilliant solo goal against Napoli in midweek in the Champions League and adding two more against Osasuna, the midfielder now has 10 across both competitions in 10 appearances.

“He’s in top form, he’s showing the player he is, I hope he keeps on like this,” Madrid defender Dani Carvajal told Real Madrid TV.

“I hope he keeps scoring goals and keeps helping us, because he can win us titles.”

Ancelotti deployed defensive midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni alongside Antonio Rudiger at the heart of defence, with David Alaba and Eder Militao injured, and Nacho suspended after his rash tackle last weekend against Girona.

However, Tchouameni enjoyed a quiet afternoon at the back as Real Madrid dominated to ensure they will stay perched at the top over the international break.

Madrid broke the deadlock after nine minutes when Luka Modric, afforded a rare start, fed Carvajal who laid the ball off neatly to Bellingham.

The midfielder, who had surged into the box, opened up some space and then blasted home, leaving goalkeeper Sergio Herrera with little chance.

Vinicius fired narrowly over when he might have passed to Jude Bellingham, with Madrid goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga reduced to a mere spectator at the other end.

Osasuna did carve out one good chance, shortly before half-time, with Ante Budimir slashing over the bar after being set up nicely by Ruben Pena.

Bellingham started and finished Madrid’s second goal in the 55th minute, darting forward and playing a one-two with Fede Valverde, before sweeping home, showing the combination of grace and dynamism he is known for.

Watch La Liga 2023/24 Live on ARY ZAP

Vinicius extended Madrid’s lead when Valverde sent him running through on goal, with the Brazilian expertly rounding goalkeeper Herrera and tapping home.

The winger turned provider for the fourth goal, setting up on-loan striker Joselu, who gleefully finished for his fifth league goal in his last six la Liga games.

“It’s a tough place to go, against one of the best teams in the world — they were far superior,” Osasuna wide man Pena told Movistar.

Joselu’s sixth should have followed when David Garcia conceded a penalty for handball, but Herrera saved the forward’s effort, fired down the middle.

Osasuna’s goalkeeper has a superb penalty-saving record, including stopping two efforts from former Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema in one match.

Joselu’s miss did not take the shine off Madrid’s afternoon, as they celebrated their most emphatic win of the season to date.

“The team came out for the three points from the start, we played a complete game in all areas, and we gave up few chances,” added Carvajal.

“We achieved our objective of reaching the international break as leaders.”

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Rodrygo and Vinicius inspire Madrid Copa del Rey triumph over Osasuna

SEVILLE: Rodrygo Goes fired Real Madrid to Copa del Rey glory with a clinical double in a 2-1 victory over Osasuna in Seville on Saturday, with Brazilian compatriot Vinicius Junior playing a part in both goals.

Carlo Ancelotti’s Madrid earned their 20th Spanish Cup at La Cartuja in their 40th final, ending a nine-year wait to lift the trophy again.

Osasuna, who have never won a major trophy, fought well but ultimately fell short against the reigning Spanish and European champions, who face Manchester City on Tuesday in the Champions League semi-finals.

Madrid have now won all six of the trophies available to them during Ancelotti’s second reign at the club, after the Italian returned in 2021.

Rodrygo fired Madrid ahead inside two minutes after Vinicius’ run down the left, and Ancelotti’s team had the better chances in the first half.

However, Lucas Torro levelled for Osasuna in the 58th minute to give them hope of an upset in their first cup final since 2005, and second ever.

Rodrygo whisked it away, firing home after a rebound fell his way following another Vinicius charge, ensuring Madrid would take the trophy back to the capital.

“They made the difference, Vini unbalanced them and Rodrygo scored the two goals,” said Ancelotti of his Brazilian wingers.

Madrid beat both Atletico Madrid and then rivals Barcelona to reach the final and Ancelotti said it was time to celebrate, but not too heavily ahead of the clash with City.

“This Copa arrived at an important moment, we came through very tricky ties, it’s a deserved prize against strong opponents,” added the coach.

“This night we will celebrate, a little bit, not too much, and then we will get back to work for Tuesday.”

Osasuna coach Jagoba Arrasate deployed midfielder Jon Moncayola at right-back to try and stop Madrid winger Vinicius.

It didn’t work. Vinicius broke in down the left in the second minute and his dangerous cut-back was missed by Fede Valverde but slammed home by Rodrygo.

The Brazilian, in sparkling form, scored the earliest Copa del Rey final goal since 2006 — a year after Osasuna finished runners-up to Real Betis.

Karim Benzema should have doubled Madrid’s lead but Sergio Herrera saved brilliantly to deny the forward after another lightning Vinicius break.

Osasuna earned a foothold in the game and came inches from equalising when on loan Barcelona winger Ez Abde broke through on goal but Dani Carvajal cleared his effort off the line.

– Vinicius in wars –

Madrid continued to push for their second goal — David Alaba struck the crossbar with a free kick and Vinicius went down in the box under pressure from Osasuna defender David Garcia.

His appeals were waved away and Vinicius clashed with Garcia, who attended the 2005 final as a childhood supporter, who ruffled his hair to annoy him further.

Vinicius was booked just before half-time for complaining, and exchanged heated words with Osasuna substitute Chimy Avila as the players walked in at half-time.

Torro drilled Osasuna level from the edge of the box when Abde’s deflected cross fell into his path.

The club’s passionate supporters celebrated wildly, including letting off a flare which needed to be extinguished, and one fan was taken away on a stretcher, although he appeared to be smiling.

Osasuna’s joy did not last long though, with Vinicius making another dangerous burst in down the left — Madrid president Florentino Perez later calling him the best in the world in his position.

Vinicius fed Toni Kroos, whose shot was blocked, but Rodrygo was in the right place at the right time to finish with aplomb and put Madrid’s name on the trophy.

“I’m really happy, we were talking about this in the week, that it was a long time since Madrid had won this competition,” Rodrygo told Spanish television broadcaster La 1.

Osasuna departed with the taste of defeat but their heads held high.

“It’s very difficult to defend against (Vinicius) and on Tuesday I am sure City will suffer too,” said coach Arrasate.

“It’s not news that Vinicius stood out, Rodrygo scored two as well, we’re talking about two of the best players in the world.

“(Madrid) are champions because they deserve this cup, but we’re proud of the team, and let’s try to do it again.”

READ: Carlos Alcaraz into Madrid final on 20th birthday, faces Struff

Real Madrid thump Osasuna to close in on leader Barcelona

PAMPLONA: Defending champions Real Madrid battled hard to seal a comprehensive 2-0 away triumph over Osasuna to cut the gap with La Liga leaders Barcelona to five points.

Young Brazilian forward Vinicius Jr led Madrid’s attack as Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema missed his side’s away fixture against Osasuna as coach Carlo Ancelotti rested the France attacker ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League last-16 first leg at Anfield.

Benzema’s absence did not trouble the visitors much as Vinicius nearly opened the scoring in the 10th minute but Osasuna keeper Sergio Herrera blocked it with a brilliant effort.

The Brazillian then had the ball in the net for Real Madrid in the 52nd minute after a heated first half that witnessed four players booked, but the goal was chalked off when he was found to be offside when the ball was played into him.

Vinicius set up Federico Valverde for the opening goal in the 78th minute before Asensio slammed home a pass from teenager substitute Alvaro Rodriguez in stoppage time to steer Madrid to triumph.

Following a tense victory, the defending champions move five points within table-toppers Barcelona, who play Cadiz on Sunday.

Meanwhile, in other La Liga fixtures, Real Betis edged Valladolid 2-1, while Mallorca thwarted Villarreal 4-2.

READ: Rizwan, Miller lead charge as Sultans post big total against United

Kike strikes to end Real Madrid’s winning run in LaLiga 2022-23

MADRID: Kike Garcia struck in the second half while Karim Benzema missed the penalty as Osasuna ended Real Madrid’s perfect run in the ongoing LaLiga season here at Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday. 

After six consecutive victories since the start of the season, defending champions Real finally had their first draw when they were held by 10-man Osasuna 1-1.

For the first time in LaLiga 2022-23, Real would be ending the matchday without being at the top of the table as Barcelona ascended to the top spot after beating Mallorca 1-0 yesterday.

Vinicius Junior scored the opening goal three minutes before halftime with a bizarre cross-come-shot but Kike equalized after the break with a cheeky flicked header.

Osasuna were down to 10 players when David Garcia was sent off for pushing Benzema which led to the penalty.

Benzema, however, missed the opportunity and smashed the penalty off the crossbar.

Meanwhile in another game on Sunday Real Sociedad thumped Girona 5-3 after a thrilling competition at Montilivi.

Alexander Sorioth scored a brace while Brais Mendez, Martin Zubimendi and Takefusa Kubo each netted a ball once to upset the home crowd.

At Balaidos, Gabri Viega’s early goal helped the home team Celta Vigo to edge past 10-man Real Betis.

Eray Comert scored in the closing time aiding Valencia to finish on a 2-2 draw against the home side Espanyol when they were cruising to victory.

Serigi Darder netted the ball in the 83rd minute after a magnificent hit to put the hosts in the lead but Comert levelled things up.

The action-filled tournament is being telecasted live on Pakistan’s first HD Sports channel – A Sports and is simultaneously streamed on the digital platform of ARY Digital Network – ARY ZAP in crystal clear HD quality.

READ: Malan, bowlers star as England thump Pakistan to claim series triumph

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