David Alaba opened the scoring in the 12th minute, on a pass from Benzema. The Austrian defender initially encountered Osasuna’s goalkeeper, but the rebound flew in. The home team already tied the score 1.5 minutes later via the Croatian striker Ante Budimir, who scored for the fifth game in a row in La Liga.
Just before half time, Marco Asensio gave the Madrilenians the lead again. Captain Benzema had two chances in the second half to bring his team to 3-1 from 11 meters, but keeper Sergio Herrera stopped both penalties from the French striker, who thus remained on 25 league goals. According to data agency Gracenote, Benzema is the first Real Madrid player to miss two penalties in one league game. In stoppage time, Lucas Vázquez decided the game with the third goal.
Real Madrid top the ranking with 78 points. City mate Atlético did not go further than 0-0 against Granada and now know that it is being dethroned. Last year’s champion is 17 points behind with five games to go. Only FC Barcelona can theoretically keep Real from the league title. Barcelona has 18 points less and has seven games left to play. The team of Frenkie de Jong, Memphis Depay and Luuk de Jong will face Real Sociedad on Thursday evening.
Atlético Madrid miss out on expensive points against Granada
Atlético Madrid has lost points in the battle for a ticket for the Champions League.
The team of coach Diego Simeone did not go further than 0-0 in front of its own audience against Granada. With relegation candidate Granada, the new head coach Aitor Karanka was on the bench for the first time.
Angel Correa tried to score, but failed
ANP/HH
Atletico, which was eliminated by Manchester City in the quarter-finals of the Champions League last week, came on 61 points. The Spanish champions now have 1 point more than Sevilla and FC Barcelona, who come into action on Thursday. Real Madrid is 14 points ahead of Atlético and one game less played for the national title. The top 4 of the Spanish football league qualify for the Champions League.