Real Madrid on brink of title after win over Osasuna despite Benzema's penalty misses

Real need just four more points from their last five games to clinch 35th La Liga trophy

Real Madrid players celebrate at the end of the match against Osasuna at El Sadar Stadium in Pamplona on April 20, 2022. AFP

Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kross jumps over Osasuna's Aridane Hernadez. EPA

Lucas Vazquez scores Real Madrid's third goal against Osasuna. Getty

Real Madrid defender Nacho, right, misses a scoring opportunity against Osasuna. AP

Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema takes, and misses, a penalty against Osasuna. AFP

Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera dives to save the second penalty kick from Karim Benzema. EPA

Karim Benzema reacts after missing a penalty against Osasuna. AFP

Marco Asensio celebrates after scoring Real Madrid's second goal against Osasuna. AFP

Osasuna forward Ante Budimir celebrates with teammates after scoring the equaliser against Real Madrid. AFP

Real Madrid's Marco Asensio on the ball under pressure from Osasuna players. AP

David Alaba celebrates after scoring Real Madid's opening goal against Osasuna. AP

Karim Benzema is crowded out by Osasuna midfielder Jon Moncayola and defender Nacho Vidal. AFP

Real Madrid's David Alaba, centre, celebrates after scoring the opening goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Osasuna and Real Madrid at El Sadar stadium in Pamplona, Spain, Wednesday, April 20, 2022. (AP Photo / Alvaro Barrientos)

Karim Benzema takes a penalty kick which was saved by Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera. AP

Real Madrid took another step closer to a 35th La Liga title on Wednesday despite Karim Benzema missing two penalties as goals by David Alaba, Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez earned the runaway leades a 3-1 win at Osasuna.

The victory means Real have 78 points and hold a 17-point lead at the top over closest rivals Atletico Madrid, who were held to a goalless draw by Granada earlier on Wednesday.

Barcelona in third and fourth-placed Sevilla are a point further back and both play on Thursday.

Real need just four more points from their last five games to be sure of the title but could clinch it without playing if Barca, who have two games in hand, do not win on Thursday at Real Sociedad and on Sunday against Rayo Vallecano.

Real manager Carlo Ancelotti decided to rest several of his usual starters including Casemiro, Luka Modric and Vinicius Jr as they prepare to face Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final next Tuesday.

Alaba opened the scoring in the 12th minute, finishing with a close-range strike following a free kick but Osasuna equalised two minutes later as Ante Budimir scored after a counter-attack.

Real regained the lead when Asensio was in the right place at the right time to strike home a rebound from a Dani Ceballos shot inside the six-yard box just before the break.

The visitors, however, suffered an injury scare when celebrating Asensio’s goal as Alaba asked for medical attention for what looked like a muscle injury.

The Austrian defender was immediately substituted, but only as a precaution, according to Ancelotti.

"We are optimistic, it does not seem serious. It seems to be an overload in the adductor and we decided it was better to take him out from the game," Ancelotti told Movistar Plus.

Benzema wasted two great opportunities to extend Real’s lead, missing two penalties in less than five minutes in the second half, with both saved by goalkeeper Sergio Herrera.

La Liga's top scorer this season with 25 goals, the French striker went the same way with both penalties and Herrera made exactly the same save at full stretch to the bottom right corner.

It was not until the last move of the game when Real sealed the deal with Vazquez finishing a counter attack led by substitute Vinicius Jr.

Despite Benzema's misses, Ancelotti insisted the forward would remain his primary penalty taker.

“If we’d had another penalty, he’d have taken it," the Italian said. When we have our next one, he’ll take it. Whoever takes penalties will miss some. Even if he didn’t score, he played well.

"It was very good match by us, especially the second half. Now we have a week to prepare for Man City. I'm very satisfied."