Brazilian youngsters send Real Madrid top

Real Madrid have gone top of La Liga after defeating Osasuna 2-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu in a game which saw both teams field second string sides. It was a good night for Vinicius and Rodrygo who scored the goals for the home side, who were far superior to their opponents without being at their best. 

It was a very quiet start to the game. Osasuna had the odd attack, but they were unable to do anything with them despite winning a couple of corners. The home crowd were not happy with what they saw, but Real Madrid nearly went in front in the 18th minute when Odriozola made a brilliant run before his cross in was hit by Raul Navas and keeper Ruben had to make a save from point blank range. 

Kroos then tried his luck seconds later before the game calmed down again and Osasuna were fairly comfortable. Zidane's men sent various crosses into the box, but Lillo and the Osasuna stood firm until they were undone nine minutes before the break thanks to a bit of magic. 

The home side worked a move in Osasuna territory and then Kroos passed to Vinicius whose shot took a nick off Navas' foot and went into the top corner of the goal. The deflection meant the goalie could do nothing about it. It was Vinicius' first goal since February and it clearly meant a lot to him and he started crying during his celebration. In fact, two minutes later, he nearly added to his tally, but he fired over. Real were ahead at the break without doing much, but it livened up after half-time. 

Osasuna got an early corner before Jovic struck the crossbar in the 50th minute after a dreadful pass back by Estupinan. Osasuna were sloppy at the back and although Merida had an ambitious effort from distance just a minute later, it was one of their rare sights of goal. James and Rodrygo were warming up and in the 58th minute, Real Madrid thought they had made it two. 

Lucas Vazquez played a lovely through ball for Jovic who put it to Ruben's left and into the goal. He was ruled to be just offside by the VAR though and the scoreline remained 1-0. Osasuna did not take advantage of their reprieve though as Kroos forced Ruben into a save before Valverde fired over from just outside the box. Rodrygo finally came on in the 71st minute and just 95 seconds later, in his competitive debut for the club, he made his mark. 

Casemiro played a lovely cross-field ball to Rodrygo on this near side, he dribbled into the area before cutting inside past Lillo and smacked it into the far corner. The keeper could not keep it out and the three points were in the bag. 

Rodrygo then hit the sidenetting four minutes from time after Jovic flicked on a corner with his head while Osasuna also knew the game was up and showed no signs of getting back into it. The final few minutes were uneventful and Real Madrid were the deserved victors. 

Real Madrid now go top of the league thanks to Athletic Bilbao's 1-1 draw at Leganes earlier and are one point ahead of city rivals Atletico. They are Real's next opponents on Saturday in a game which should be an absolute cracker. Osasuna remain in 12th on seven points, They travel to Levante on Sunday and despite a poor performance by their fringe players, they were not too disappointed at the end as they knew other games are their priority.