MADRID, April 21, 2022 (BSS/AFP) - 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 decided to take him off."

 Alaba 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's pass to the back post a minute later.

 Madrid 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' effort
was saved, Asensio's run was rewarded with a simple finish.

 Benzema's 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.

 At the first attempt, Benzema struck left but Herrera dived to make the
save. The second time, Herrera pointed to Benzema's right but Benzema opted
for the same side, Herrera guessing correctly again to palm away to safety.

 Vinicius came off the bench and should have added a third in injury-time
but side-footed wide, before tearing away again and this time laying across
for Vazquez to find the corner.

 - Atletico frustrated -

Atletico Madrid had earlier been left frustrated by a goalless draw with
Granada.

 After six consecutive victories between February and April, Atletico have
now managed just one win from their last five in all competitions, bringing
back some of the concerns that hung over the team earlier in the season.

 Without Joao Felix, who will miss the rest of the season through injury,
La Liga's reigning champions lacked the thrust needed to break down a
determined Granada side, who were playing their first match under new coach
Aitor Karanka. Granada sit 18th, a point behind Cadiz, who have a game in
hand.