MADRID: Karim Benzema missed two penalties in seven minutes on Wednesday but Real Madrid still had enough to defeat Osasuna 3-1 as they continued their march towards the La Liga title.

Benzema was looking for his 45th goal of the season but was twice denied by Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera, who both times dived to his right and both times made the save with Real leading 2-1 at El Sadar.

But Osasuna were unable to find an equaliser in the second half and Real added a third in injury-time, Vinicius Junior teeing up Lucas Vazquez for an easy finish.

David Alaba’s opener had earlier been cancelled out by Osasuna’s Ante Budimir, before Marco Asensio restored Real’s advantage on the stroke of half-time.

Carlo Ancelotti was unconcerned by Benzema’s misses from the spot.

“If there was another penalty, he would have taken it and the next one he will take as well,” Ancelotti said.

The victory means Real have 78 points and hold a 17-point lead at the top over closest rivals Atletico Madrid, who missed the chance to pull away in the race for the top four after being held to a goalless draw by Granada.

Barcelona, who have two games in hand, in third and fourth-placed Sevilla are a point further back and Real need just four more points from their last five games to be sure of the title.

Ancelotti decided to rest several of his usual starters like 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 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.

Benzema’s pair of penalties came in the 52nd and 59th minutes, both won by Rodrygo, whose sharp turn tempted Avila into a handball on the ground before Nacho Vidal stumbled into the back of the Brazilian.

Those opportunities wasted, it was not until the last move of the game when Real sealed the deal with Vazquez finding the corner on counter attack led by substitute Vinicius Jr.

“It was very good match by us, especially the second half,” said Ancelotti. “Now we have a week to prepare for Man City. I’m are very satisfied.”

Atletico had earlier been left frustrated by a goalless draw with Granada.

After six consecutive victories between February and April, Atletico have now managed just one win from their last five in all competitions, bringing back some of the concerns that hung over the team earlier in the season.

Without Joao Felix, who will miss the rest of the season through injury, La Liga’s reigning champions lacked the thrust needed to break down a determined Granada side, who were playing their first match under new coach Aitor Karanka.

Granada sit 18th, a point behind Cadiz, who have a game in hand.

Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2022