PA Media/dpa
Madrid
Vinicius Junior bagged a hat-trick and Jude Bellingham scored his first goal of the season as Real Madrid hammered Osasuna 4-0 in LaLiga on Saturday.
Vinicius was the star of the show as Real put back-to-back home defeats behind them.
England midfielder Bellingham, after scoring 23 goals in his debut campaign at the Bernabeu, has endured a slow start to 2024-25 but netted a brilliant goal in his 13th appearance this term.
They moved six points behind leaders Barcelona, who were 4-0 winners in last week’s El Clasico. Barca can extend their lead to nine points when they play Real Sociedad on Sunday.
It was not a perfect afternoon for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, though, as both Eder Militao and fellow Brazilian Rodrygo left the field in tears after picking up first-half injuries.
Defender Militao’s injury was later confirmed as a torn anterior cruciate ligament, with Real announcing he “will undergo surgery in the coming days.”
Bellingham was involved in Vinicius’ opener as his fizzed pass found the Brazilian, who still had plenty to do as he cut inside and lashed home at the near post in the 34th minute.
The Englishman finally ended his goal drought nine minutes later, and did it in style.
A brilliant pinged ball from Raul Asencio - making his first-team debut as the replacement for Militao - sent him through on goal and he kept his composure to lift the ball over Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera.
Vinicius got his second 16 minutes into the second half with a classic goal from back to front.
Goalkeeper’s Andriy Lunin long kick released his team-mate and he did the rest, racing from the centre circle to round Herrera and convert into an empty net.
It was 4-0 nine minutes later as the Brazilian claimed the matchball.
Brahim Diaz was the architect, though, with some intense pressing, which saw him steal the ball in the penalty area and tee up the Brazilian to fire home.
