Real Madrid travelled to Osasuna on Saturday night knowing that a win would take them back to the top of La Liga.
Cristiano Ronaldo sent Real Madrid into a 24th-minute lead in Pamplona, but Osasuna were level in the 33rd minute courtesy of a smart finish from Sergio Leon.
Los Blancos regained the lead through Isco in the 62nd minute, however, before Lucas Vasquez scored a third for the visitors late on.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
6.46pmEvening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from Pamplona as Osasuna welcome Real Madrid in what is a vital match at both ends of the table. Osasuna need the points as they bid to move off the bottom of the division, but Real Madrid will be looking to return to the top ahead of champions Barcelona, who scored six at Alaves earlier this afternoon. Stay tuned for live minute-by-minute updates!
6.49pmThe points were shared when the two teams last met in this stadium in December 2013, but Real Madrid ran out 5-2 winners at the Bernabeu in the reverse match earlier this season. Osasuna do have two recent victories over Real Madrid, however, with a 2-1 success in May 2009 followed by a 1-0 win in January 2011. Indeed, both of those victories came in this stadium.
6.52pmRight, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Pamplona. Osasuna have had a free week to prepare for this match, while Real Madrid have had two after their clash with Celta Vigo last weekend was postponed. Let's run through the two XIs for this match...
6.55pmTEAMS!
OSASUNA: Sirigu; Bonnin, Oier, Vujadinovic, Fuentes; Romero, Causic, Tienza, Berenguer; Riviere, Leon
REAL: Navas; Ramos, Varane, Nacho; Danilo, Casemiro, Modric, Isco, Marcelo; Ronaldo, Benzema
6.58pmVery interesting team selection from Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane, with Los Blancos expected to take to the field in a 3-5-2 formation tonight. Nacho, Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos wills tart in central defence, while Danilo and Marcelo will operate in the wing-back positions. Isco is also given a spot in midfield, while Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema will start as a front two.
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7.02pmAs for Osasuna, head coach Petar Vasiljevic has shuffled his pack following their 3-2 defeat at Real Sociedad last weekend. Sergio Leon will start in the final third alongside on-loan Newcastle United striker Emmanuel Riviere, while Jaime Romero comes into the team in a wide midfield position. Oriol Riera is fit and available for the league's basement team, but the striker is named on the bench.
7.05pmSo there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild evening in Pamplona. I shall speak about the home side a little bit later, but let's start with Real Madrid, who have fallen two points behind Barcelona at the top of La Liga. That said, Los Blancos now have an incredible three games in hand over their Catalan rivals, starting with tonight.
7.08pmReal Madrid entered this weekend's fixtures one point clear of second-place Barcelona, with two games in hand. Barcelona have since moved to the summit after beating Alaves 6-0 earlier this afternoon, but Real Madrid are still in a very strong position at this stage. That said, having three games in hand is not exactly ideal when considering that the Champions League returns next week.
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7.12pmLos Blancos' involvement in the 2016 Club World Cup meant that their La Liga clash with Valencia was postponed, and a second match was postponed last weekend after bad weather damaged Celta's Balaidos stadium. As a result, Real Madrid have not played since the end of last month – a 3-0 success over Real Sociedad, which made it back-to-back wins in the league.
7.15pmFourteen wins, four draws and one defeat represents a very impressive La Liga campaign for Real Madrid, but they were knocked out in the quarter-final stage of the Copa del Rey by Celta Vigo. That might well turn out to be a blessing, however, due to their crowded fixture list over the next few weeks. It is all very well having games in hand, but they have to turn those into points.
7.18pmAs mentioned, the Champions League will return next week and Real Madrid will welcome Italian side Napoli to the Bernabeu for the first leg of their last-16 tie on February 15. A busy seven days then sees Zidane's side welcome Espanyol in the league and travel to Valencia for one of their spare matches.
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7.22pmThe month of February then ends with a trip to Villarreal and if Barcelona keep winning, Real Madrid will be under pressure to collect maximum points from those sort of fixtures. Sevilla are also hot on their tails and the Europa League winners will be looking to continue their impressive form when they travel to Las Palmas tomorrow night. The rain is falling as kickoff approaches in Pamplona!
7.25pmAs for Osasuna, the Reds are struggling at the bottom of the table. Incredibly, the newly-promoted side have only won one of their 21 league matches this season and a total of 10 points has left them propping up the division. They are only three points off 18th-place Sporting Gijon, but sit eight points behind Leganes, who occupy 17th, just behind Deportivo La Coruna and Valencia.
7.28pm
Los jugadores rojillos ya están en El Sadar. A las 20:45 arrancará el choque. 💪🏽💪🏽#OsasunaRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/0MnlDBe4qP
— CA OSASUNA (@CAOsasuna) February 11, 2017
7.32pmNo team has conceded more La Liga goals than Osasuna this season (46), while their sole victory came back in October, when they won 3-2 at Eibar. A miserable November and December saw the strugglers lose six straight matches, but they have shown slight signs of improvement in 2017.
7.35pmJoaquin Caparros was relieved of his duties following a poor finish to 2016, and 46-year-old Serbian Petar Vasiljevic is now in charge of first-team affairs. Osasuna are without a win in 2017, but they have only suffered two defeats and picked up draws against Valencia, Granada and Malaga.
7.38pmAfter 14 consecutive seasons in the top flight of Spanish football, Osasuna were relegated at the end of the 2013-14 campaign. They then spent two seasons in the Segunda Division, before coming through the playoffs in the 2015-16 campaign to return to La Liga. As things stand, it appears that they are heading back down, but a positive result tonight could bring about a change in fortunes.
7.42pmBig night for a certain Sergio Ramos...
Ramos 500th game for Madrid - 13 trophies inc 2 Champions Leagues, 3 Ligas, 2 Copas. 66 goals, 35 assists. 21 red cards, 173 yellow cards.
— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) February 11, 2017
0 minKICKOFF! Real Madrid kick things off in Pamplona...
2 min... it must be said that the pitch in this stadium is absolutely beautiful. It was only relayed last week and it is perfect, despite some rain in Pamplona. It is also a sell-out tonight and the home supporters are in fine voice in the early moments of this match. Let's hope for a good game.
4 minHalf-chance for the home side as Romero breaks into a wide position before delivering a low cross towards Riviere, but Navas makes the claim. This stadium is absolutely bouncing tonight.
5 minBenzema has a half-chance for Real Madrid after meeting a loose ball at the far post, but his effort was always wide of Sirigu's post. Decent football from Los Blancos in the last few moments here.
7 minAs expected, Real Madrid are in control of the possession as they pass and probe in the final third, but Osasuna have already shown that they will commit players forward on the counter-attack. You just get the feeling that the first goal tonight - if there indeed is one - could be very important.
9 minSmart work from Romero as the number 17 drives past Nacho before delivering another low cross towards Riviere, but Navas is on hand to make another decent block at his near post.
10 minBOOKING! Fuentes (Osasuna) is booked for a poor tackle on Ronaldo.
13 minThe opening 13 minutes of this match have absolutely flown past and while it has been a fast-paced match, opportunities have been few and far between. Benzema fired Real Madrid's best chance wide of the post, while most of Osasuna's threat has come from wide positions, notably Romero.
14 minOh my word. Horrific injury for Bonnin here as the full-back's leg goes the opposite way in a challenge with Isco. It is a horrendous injury after seeing a replay from a number of angles.
15 minOSASUNA SUB! Garcia replaces Bonnin, who is stretched off the field. It really was difficult to watch the replays of that injury and the defender could now be out for a long time.
18 minSAVE! Navas has to get down and keep out a long-range strike from Fausto as Osasuna continue to cause problems in Real Madrid's half of the field. It is an even game at the moment.
20 minPlenty happening all over the park at the moment as both teams battle for possession of the ball. Riviere continues to cause problems with his movement in the final third and Romero then wins a free kick in a dangerous position after Nacho hangs out a lazy leg to stop the number 17...
21 min... waste of a free kick as Jaime sends the set piece into the stands.
23 minReal Madrid are finding it difficult to make head-way in this match as Osasuna continue to smother the visitors all over the park. The league's bottom team have been brilliant so far tonight.
24 minGOAL! Osasuna 0-1 Real Madrid (Ronaldo)
25 minReal Madrid make the breakthrough in the 24th minute as Benzema releases Ronaldo and the number seven finds the back of the net with a low effort. Goalkeeper should save it for me!
28 minThat is the difference at this level of football. Real Madrid have had one shot on target tonight, and that found the back of the net. Osasuna have had a lot of the ball and a number of openings, but have been unable to make the breakthrough. We are entering a key period of this match here.
28 minBOOKING! Modric (Real Madrid) is booked for putting his arm into Jaime's face.
30 minGarcia rises highest to meet a deep free kick from Jaime inside the Real Madrid box, but it is a very comfortable claim for Navas, who immediately looks to release Ronaldo in a wide position.
32 minOsasuna have been impressive since falling 1-0 behind, with the home side still causing a whole host of problems in wide positions. You just wonder whether they are going to turn opportunities into goals and Real Madrid have already had a couple of chances to break on the counter-attack.
33 minGOAL! Osasuna 1-1 Real Madrid (Leon)
34 minWhat a super goal that is! Osasuna level the scores in the 33rd minute as Sergio Leon uses his pace to break clear of the Real Madrid defence before chipping the ball over the onrushing Navas!
35 minReal Madrid are fortunate to be on terms at this stage of the contest. I expected the visitors to win this game quite comfortably and while that might still be the case, Osasuna have been brilliant in this first period. Their confidence is showed as Fausto has just tried to beat Navas from the half-way line!
36 minSAVE! Wonderful chance for Real Madrid to regain the lead as Benzema meets a low cross from Ronaldo, but Sirigu makes a quite outstanding save to keep the score at 1-1!
37 minBOOKING! Fausto (Osasuna) is booked for a late tackle on Ramos.
40 minIt must be said that the opening 40 minutes of this match have absolutely flown past. It has been a brilliant game of end-to-end football, and Osasuna must be credited for their approach to this contest. Leon again causes problems with a deep cross towards Jaime, but Navas makes the claim.
42 minRonaldo tries to angle a header into the path of Benzema after Ramos had swept the ball forward, but Sirigu is alive to the danger and the Osasuna goalkeeper is on hand to smother the ball.
43 minRonaldo slices a low effort wide of Osasuna's post.
44 minSAVE! Navas keeps out a low strike from Vujadinovic as Osasuna continue to threaten a second goal. Real Madrid were again nervous when the ball dropped inside their box!
45 min+1We are into the first of two additional minutes at the end of the first period.
45 min+2Jaime is ruled offside as the Osasuna midfielder races clear once again.
45 min+3HALF-TIME: Osasuna 1-1 Real Madrid
8.32pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 1-1. Ronaldo sent Real Madrid ahead in the 24th minute of the contest, but Leon levelled the scores in the 33rd minutes with a super finish. Osasuna are well worth a draw at this stage of the contest.
8.37pmSTATISTICS! Real Madrid have shaded the possession with 60%, while they have had six attempts - three of which were on target. Osasuna, meanwhile, actually had seven attempts and five of those were on target. Three bookings to report - Fuentes (10 min), Modric (28 min) and Fausto (37 min).
8.42pmBENCH WATCH! Osasuna have already been forced into one change tonight - Garcia taking the places of Bonnin, who suffered a horrific injury in the first period. Loe and Riera, however, remain options for the home side. As for Real Madrid, Morata, Kovacic, James and Lucas are all in reserve.
46 minRESTART! Osasuna resume the action on home soil...
47 min... no changes from either side at the break, which is not much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will already have alterations in mind as the second period develops here.
48 minOsasuna have confirmed that defender Bonnin has broken his leg...
PARTE MÉDICO | En la primera exploración, se ha objetivado que Tano sufre una fractura de tibia y peroné de la pierna derecha. #FuerzaTano pic.twitter.com/TnDc0exO8a
— CA OSASUNA (@CAOsasuna) February 11, 2017
49 minSAVE! Navas has to dive across his goal and keep out a swinging effort from Leon as Osasuna threaten a second goal early in the second period. Real Madrid have to improve!
52 minBenzema breaks into the Osasuna box, but Garcia is across to make a smart challenge and the referee points for a dead-ball, much to the frustration of Real Madrid's French forward.
54 minOSASUNA SUB! Osasuna make their second change as Clerc replaces Fuentes.
56 minThe rain is beating down in Pamplona and this is a very uncomfortable game for Real Madrid as Osasuna continue to cause problems. The visitors just had a half-chance following a quick counter-attack, but Ronaldo just did not have the legs to beat Sirigu to the loose ball inside the box.
57 minDanilo hits the deck following a late challenge and it appears that the Brazilian will struggle to continue. Dani Carvajal is back on the bench for Real Madrid following a period on the sidelines.
57 minDanilo is now being stretched off the field. Surely he will not continue.
58 minREAL MADRID SUB! James replaces the injury Danilo.
60 minLittle over 30 minutes of this fixture remaining and we are still locked at 1-1. In truth, there have hardly been any chances in the second period, and those that have arrived have come for Osasuna.
61 minOSASUNA SUB! Loe replaces Fausto in Osasuna's final change.
61 minBOOKING! James (Real Madrid) is booked for a late challenge on Garcia.
62 minGOAL! Osasuna 1-2 Real Madrid (Isco)
63 minReal Madrid regain the lead in the 62nd minute of this match as Isco takes advantage of a loose ball inside the Osasuna box - dribbling past two players before finding the bottom corner!
66 minVery open game at the moment as both teams commit players to each counter-attack. Osasuna need to be careful that they do not concede a third because that would certainly be game over. Whatever happens in the final 25 minutes or so, Osasuna can take a lot from this match.
68 minThe home supporters are doing their best to raise their team, but Real Madrid are full of beans at the moment as they look to put this game to bed. Still more than 20 minutes to play in Pamplona.
71 minI must admit that I am surprised that Riera was not one of Osasuna's three substitutions in this match. The home side are in need of some freshness at the moment, but all three changes have been made. This game is still very delicately poised with 71 minutes on the clock in Pamplona.
72 minREAL MADRID SUB! Vasquez replaces Benzema for Real Madrid.
74 minRonaldo is now the lone striker for Real Madrid, with Vasquez and James operating in wide positions and Isco sitting a little deeper. Another change in formation for the visitors tonight.
75 minSAVE! Sirigu makes a super save to prevent Ronaldo from making it 3-1!
75 minCLOSE! Ramos heads just wide from the resulting corner!
78 minLittle over 10 minutes of football remaining and Osasuna appear to have run out of legs. The league's basement side have put so much into this match, but they might come up just short.
79 minPENALTY SHOUT! Big shout for a penalty as Ronaldo is pulled down by Garcia inside the Osasuna box, but the referee is not interested. That was a stonewall spot kick for me!
82 minOsasuna are still in this football match with 82 minutes on the clock, but Real Madrid are in total control of the possession. Ronaldo bends one from outside the box, but his effort is too high.
83 minSAVE! Navas gets across to keep out a long-range strike from Leon.
85 minLittle over five minutes of normal time remaining and Real Madrid still lead by the narrowest of margins. Osasuna have just started to enjoy a little more possession in the last few moments.
87 minNot too much happening at the moment as both sides concede possession in forward areas.
88 minREAL MADRID SUB! Kovacic replaces Isco for Real Madrid.
90 min+1Just a reminder that, as it stands, Real Madrid are moving one point clear of second-place Barcelona in La Liga, and Los Blancos still have two games in hand over their Clasico rivals.
90 min+1CHANCE! Stunning chance for Real Madrid to score a third as James finds Vasquez inside the Osasuna box, but Oier is on hand to make a wonderful last-ditch challenge!
90 min+1BOOKING! Causic (Osasuna) is booked for a late tackle on James.
90 min+2We are into the second of three additional minutes here.
90 min+3GOAL! Osasuna 1-3 Real Madrid (Vasquez)
90 min+4Real Madrid secure all the points as Vasquez collects a clever Marcelo pass before chipping the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper. Game, set and match for the away side tonight.
90 min+4FULL-TIME: Osasuna 1-3 Real Madrid
9.37pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Real Madrid running out 3-1 winners over Osasuna to return to the top of the table. It was tough for the away side, but they just about got there in the end. Thanks for joining us once again. Until next time!
