Sergio Herrera - players.bio

Real Stumble Past Osasuna Before Liverpool Champions League Trip

Fede Valverde and Marco Asensio scored as Real Madrid struggled to beat Osasuna 2-0 in La Liga on Saturday, just three days before they head to Liverpool in the Champions League. Uruguay midfielder Valverde and Spain winger Asensio netted in the final quarter of an hour in Pamplona to cut Barcelona's advantage to five points at the top of the table before the Catalans host lowly Cadiz on Sunday. Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema was missing from Real's matchday squad as coach Carlo Ancelotti rested the France attacker ahead of Tuesday's Champions League last-16 first leg at Anfield.

'Fantastic' Vinicius Junior inspires Real Madrid win over Osasuna

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti hailed "fantastic player" Vinicius Junior after the Brazilian's latest star turn against Osasuna helped cut the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona to four points.

Osasuna 0-2 Real Madrid: Federico Valverde and Marco Asensio on target as Carlo Ancelotti's side overcome hosts

Real Madrid left it late to beat Osasuna 1-0 in Pamplona to keep their La Liga hopes intact. Federico Valverde made a gut-busting run to get on the end of a Vinicius Junior cross to put Madrid ahead in the 78th minute. Ad Osasuna controlled the majority of a relatively uneventful first half and had better chances to go ahead.