Brazilians power Real
Real Madrid's Brazilian duo Eder Militao and Casemiro struck in the next half to secure a 2-0 home make an impression on stubborn Osasuna on Saturday and keep the heat on La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid.
Defender Militao finally prised open the visitors' defence by heading home from a corner in the 76th minute for his first league goal of the growing season.
Midfielder Casemiro ensured of the points four minutes later with a fortuitous strike when he attemptedto control a through ball from Karim Benzema and sent it trickling into the bottom corner of the web, flummoxing keeper Sergio Herrera.
The win took second-placed Real to 74 points from 34 games after Atletico had moved onto 76 by riding their luck to win 1-0 at Elche previously Saturday. Fellow title rivals Barcelona and Sevilla are doing his thing on Sunday and Monday respectively.
"This was an extremely hard-fought victory. Our opponents defended very well and we'd to keep trying until the end, we had to remain patient," said Real coach Zinedine Zidane.
"I'm so pleased with the players. When your team plays well and has five chances like we'd in the first half it's simple to get frustrated. But we showed patience and kept playing well."
Having stayed on Atletico's heels, Real will now turn their focus on achieving the Champions League final if they check out Chelsea in Wednesday's semi-final second leg after a 1-1 draw in the Spanish capital last week.
They may need to make do without the knowledge of centre back Raphael Varane, who came off at halftime with a suspected muscle injury.
Zidane left midfielders Toni Kroos and Luka Modric on the bench for your game and considered reserve team player Antonio Blanco, while bringing on fellow youngsters Miguel Gutierrez and Sergio Arribas in the next half.
Eden Hazard was Real's most dangerous player within an impressive first half from the hosts, who had a slew of chances to go in the front.
Osasuna keeper Sergio Herrera reacted quickly to repel a close-range shot from Hazard and occasions later tipped a robust Militao header over the bar before thwarting the Brazilian again later in the next half.
The visitors did their best to keep Real away while offering little in attack although that they had a goal eliminated for offside by Chimy Avila just before halftime.
Osasuna also practically benefitted from an over-hit backpass by Militao which forced Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois to race towards his line and prevent the ball.
Substitute Rodrygo practically found a breakthrough out of nothing when he danced past several visiting defenders and went for goal, pulling his shot just wide of the far post.
It took a set-piece for Real to finally take the lead, Militao meeting Isco's corner with venom to create it third time lucky and Casemiro's fortunate goal soon followed to start to see the home side over the line.
"We've had so many difficulties but today we have three more points and we will keep fighting before end," Zidane added.
"We know we can win (La Liga and the Champions League). I won't say that we will win them, but we will do everything we are able to to try."
Atleti ride their luck
Atletico Madrid stayed responsible for La Liga's four-way title race by earning a nerve-shredding 1-0 victory at struggling Elche on Saturday, riding their luck to the extreme when the hosts missed a penalty in stoppage time.
Marcos Llorente scored the only goal with a deflected shot in the 23rd minute but gave away the penalty in the 90th after a careless handball as Atleti defended a free kick after sitting on the slim lead instead of looking to put the game to bed.
Elche midfielder Fidel Chaves's spot kick beat goalkeeper Jan Oblak but came off the post, providing another twist in an action-packed game where Atletico had two goals eliminated for offside and a penalty award recinded carrying out a VAR review.
Fidel's spurned penalty threw Diego Simeone's side a lifeline in the thrilling title race while leaving Elche still 18th and in the relegation zone. They might have moved from the drop zone if Fidel had scored from the spot.
The win took Atletico to 76 points with four games left but Real Madrid moved two points in it by beating Osasuna 2-0. Barcelona are third on 71 points and visit Valencia on Sunday. Sevilla, on 70 points, host Athletic Bilbao on Monday.
It was the next time this season Atleti had benefitted from their opponents squandering a late penalty, with Oblak saving from Alaves' Joselu to secure a 1-0 home win in March.
It was also the second stroke of fortune in three days for Atletico, who sank to a chastening 2-1 defeat at Athletic Bilbao last week and looked set to lose top spot to Barca, who then fell to a shock 2-1 loss in the home to Granada on Thursday.
Atleti visit Barca next Saturday in what is actually a pivotal weekend in the title race, with Real hosting Sevilla the very next day.
"Winning today was an obligation and we were able to complete the job," said Llorente.
"At this time of the growing season everyone has so much at stake, whether you're fighting relegation, choosing Europe or the title. Every team is playing as if their lives depend on it."
Atletico continued the attack early on against Elche and really should took the lead after a slick move between Angel Correa and Luis Suarez, who could only find the side-netting.
Suarez did have the ability to put the ball in the web soon after carrying out a move with Llorente but was left frustrated again when the goal was eliminated after a VAR review for a fractional offside.
The Uruguayan missed the mark early in the next half and had another goal chalked off, this time around for a clear offside.
Suarez was replaced by midfielder Saul late on as Simeone sought to safeguard Atletico's lead.
The move almost backfired when Elche's Antonio Barragan caught sight of goal from close range but volleyed just over the bar.
Fidel's spurned penalty was a straight bigger let off but, somehow, Atletico remain in the box seat in the title race.
Llorente added: "I don't have confidence in luck. But we have the three points gives us huge belief for what's left to come."
