Karim Benzema misses two penalties in Real Madrid's win over Osasuna

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 Madrid leading 2-1 at El Sadar. But Osasuna were unable to find an equaliser in the second half and Madrid 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 Madrid'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. Madrid move 17 points clear at the top of La Liga, ahead of 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. The stalemate means Atletico move up to second in the table but could be overtaken by both Barcelona and Sevilla on Thursday. Barca play at Real Sociedad after Sevilla travel to Levante. Real Betis, who were beaten by Elche on Tuesday, are four points behind Atletico in fifth. Ancelotti started Toni Kroos and Vinicius on the bench while Luka Modric was left out of the squad completely, with the first leg of Madrid's Champions League semi-final against Manchester City less than a week away.

Alaba went off in the second half but Ancelotti said the problem does not seem serious. "We're optimistic," he said. "It doesn't seem serious. His groin was bothering him so we