Real Madrid’s triumph against Osasuna on Saturday afternoon served as more evidence that they are league leaders this season. A vital member of Carlo Ancelotti’s team, Vinicius Junior gave his team the lead early on and then helped himself to another in the second half as Osasuna was soundly defeated at Estadio El Sadar.

With a 4-2 victory against Osasuna, Real Madrid extended their lead in the La Liga standings to 10 points. Vinicius Junior scored twice.

The host team gave their all to make the game exciting, but their defense was unable to stop Real Madrid’s abundance of skill.

Just after the hour mark, Dani Carvajal’s deft half-volley and Vinicius Junior’s early goal were sandwiched by Ante Budimir’s goal, which kept the game close.

As far as we are aware, Vinicius Junior lacks the mysteriоus Italian’s extracurricular activities. There have also been no tales of the Brazilian setting off fireworks in a toilet of his Madrid estate. But it definitely wouldn’t feel out of place if, after scoring the cheekiest of second goals, he opened his top to display the infamous “Why Always Me?” t-shirt the Italian flashed the world in the Manchester derby 13 years ago while circling slowly to soak in the cheers of the whole crowd. His unjustified booking, which is his third in a row in La Liga and his second in a row in UEFA Champions League games, is evidence of the indiscipline that at times must really annoy Carlo Ancelotti. 

As a result, he won’t play against Atletico Madrid. But who could continue to be angry at a man who shown lethal poaching instincts to evade a defense, score Los Blancos’ first goal, and then create the most impudent of finishes to complete a brace? Based on Ancelotti’s response upon removing the Brazilian, which included enveloping him in a barehug, the seasoned Italian manager must believe that the player is someone to be treated with the utmost care and hope that his misdemeanors do not endanger his team.

FEDE VALVERDE (REAL MADRID) is the player of the match.

Vinicius Junior is deserving of some of this, but in the last few games, Valverde has truly looked like he’s coming into his own. He’s taking on a more creative role in midfield (possibly made easier by Jude Bellingham’s absence), and he seems capable of turning games in his team’s advantage should Luka Modric, as predicted, leave Real Madrid in the summer. His assists for the final three Real goals were a clever turn and hooked cross, a flick-on header (for which he received a heavy scolding for his troubles), and a deft chest in Bellingham’s direction.