Real Madrid have geared up for their Champions League trip to Liverpool with a late 2-0 La Liga win at Osasuna.
Los Blancos have stepped up the title pressure on league leaders Barcelona, as Fede Valverde and Marco Asensio netted vital late goals.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side move to within five points of their Catalan rivals overnight but they struggled for fluidity in Pamplona.
Vinicius Junior carried the threat for the visitors in a drab opening half with Rodrygo Goes wasting a clear opening after the restart.
Osasuna looked to capitalise on their visitors struggles in the closing stages, with the returning Thibaut Courtois called into action to make two key stops, before Moi Gomez hit a post.
Moi Gómez goes so close to breaking the deadlock! 😮
The post prevents Osasuna from taking the lead against Real Madrid 💥 pic.twitter.com/6NC2xvb5eJ
— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) February 18, 2023
However, just as the tie looked set to be drifting off towards a stalemate, Valverde seized his chance to steer home a fourth goal in four games in the dying minutes.
A massive goal for Real Madrid! ⚪
Vini Jr and Fede Valverde combine brilliantly and Madrid finally have the lead 🔥 pic.twitter.com/1Nkm62Ksiq
— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) February 18, 2023
That allowed Real Madrid to storm home in the final seconds with substitute Asensio netting a second in added time.
Real Madrid head off to Anfield on February 20, ahead of facing their old foes on Merseyside, with Osasuna travelling to Sevilla in league action next weekend.
Images via Getty Images
Dude, youve got to be made of a special kind of bi.ch to deny Alvaro that brilliant assist goal on his debut match.
The mental gymnastics these refs go through to chalk off goals for this club.
He was in line with the ricochet off Valverde.
50-50 call that somehow always ends up being 51-49 when its RM.
Maybe we should invest in some referee forecasting and analyses for a million euro a day. Ive heard that “greatest the wheels” when it comes to decisions, if you know what Im saying.