Striker unable to convert from spot twice in seven minutes in 3-1 victory over Osasuna
\n MADRID
\nKarim 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.
\nBenzema 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.
\nBut 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.
\nDavid Alaba\u2019s opener had earlier been cancelled out by Osasuna\u2019s Ante Budimir, before Marco Asensio restored Madrid\u2019s advantage on the stroke of half-time.
\nCarlo Ancelotti was unconcerned by Benzema\u2019s misses from the spot.
\n\u201cIf there was another penalty, he would have taken it and the next one he will take as well,\u201d Ancelotti said.
\nMadrid 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.
\nThe 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.
\nReal Betis, who were beaten by Elche on Tuesday, are four points behind Atletico in fifth.
\nAncelotti started Toni Kroos and Vinicius on the bench while Luka Modric was left out of the squad completely, with the first leg of Madrid\u2019s Champions League semi-final against Manchester City less than a week away.
\nAlaba went off in the second half but Ancelotti said the problem does not seem serious.
\n\u201cWe\u2019re optimistic,\u201d he said. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t seem serious. His groin was bothering him so we decided to take him off.\u201d
\nAlaba put Real Madrid in front in the 13th minute, bundling in the rebound after Benzema had tapped the ball across, but the advantage was brief as Budimir knocked in Chimy Avila\u2019s pass to the back post a minute later.
\nMadrid restored their lead at the end of the half as Asensio played inside from the right wing and continued his run into the penalty box. Eduardo Camavinga chipped to the left side of the box and while Dani Ceballos\u2019 effort was saved, Asensio\u2019s run was rewarded with a simple finish.
\nBenzema\u2019s pair of penalties came in the 52nd and 59th minutes, both won by Rodrygo, whose sharp turn tempted Avila into a handball on the ground before Nacho Vidal stumbled into the back of the Brazilian.
\nAt the first attempt, Benzema struck left but Herrera dived to make the save. The second time, Herrera pointed to Benzema\u2019s right but Benzema opted for the same side, Herrera guessing correctly again to palm away to safety<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Striker unable to convert from spot twice in seven minutes in 3-1 victory over Osasuna MADRID 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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-256658","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n