Real Madrid 4-0 Osasuna: Player ratings as Vinicius Jr hat-trick marred by injuries | OneFootball

Real Madrid responded to criticism of their recent performances with a comprehensive 4-0 win over Osasuna, but the victory was marred by a serious-looking injury to Eder Militao.

Madrid were under pressure to perform after convincing back-to-back home defeats against Barcelona and AC Milan, but found their biggest foe to be keeping their players on the pitch in what was a bittersweet afternoon in the Spanish capital.

Rodrygo was forced off with what appeared to be a hamstring injury just 20 minutes in, but there was further concern for teammate Militao after his right knee seemingly buckled under his weight when unchallenged. The Brazilian was stretchered off as teammates and supporters showed obvious concern, though his spirits would have been lifted by Madrid opening the scoring minutes later through Vinicius Junior.

Jude Bellingham broke his goal duck to extend the lead before half-time, with Lucas Vazquez's injury - Madrid's third of the half - not enough to stop the 15-time Champions League winners streaking away in the second half.

Vinicius scored twice more to collect the match ball, rounding off a routine win for Madrid and Ancelotti.

How the game unfolded

Real Madrid started in a confident mood, putting behind them the recent disappointments that have seen pressure piled on the shoulders of Ancelotti.

Vinicius and Rodrygo looked bright early on as Madrid reverted to a 4-3-3 formation - Federico Valverde playing the holding role as Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga were pushed on - and Kylian Mbappe also buzzed around as Osasuna struggled to get a foot on the ball.

Rodrygo had the first meaningful strike of the game, seeing his long-range effort turned round the post by Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera, but minutes later he was in tears clutching his hamstring.

After attempting to run the issue off, he was replaced by Brahim Diaz, promptly sitting down on the bench with an ice pack strapped to his thigh.

Militao's right knee injury stunned the Bernabeu into silence ten minutes later - he has previously suffered a torn ACL in his left knee - but the players were given a much-needed lift as Vinicius whipped Madrid in front moments after.

Rodrygo left the field in tears / Denis Doyle/GettyImages

Bellingham's header found Vinicius, who was just onside, and he cut inside Jesus Aruso before closing his foot to whip a fierce drive inside Herrera's near post.

Substitute Raul Asencio played a delicious long ball for Bellingham to scamper onto eight minutes later, and the England playmaker scored his first goal of the season after cushioning a perfectly weighted lob over Herrera.

Madrid stepped out with authority in the second half, albeit without Lucas Vazquez after he appeared to tweak his hamstring too, and squeezed higher up the field in a bid to win the ball back.

The change in tact - as well as a tweak in formation as Luka Modric came on - allowed Madrid to take complete control of proceedings, so it was no surprise when Vinicius made it three after latching onto a wonderful ball from goalkeeper Andriy Lunin.

A successful high press saw Brahim Diaz steal the ball with just over 20 minutes to go, and he unselfishly laid it on a plate for Vinicius to complete his hat-trick - an early statement made as the Brazilian looks to potentially win the Ballon d'Or in 2025.

Real Madrid player ratings (4-3-3)

Bellingham broke his goal duck for the season / Diego Souto/GettyImages

GK: Andriy Lunin - 7/10 - Had nothing to do in terms of shot-stopping so decided to launch a terrific counter-attack for Vinicius to score Madrid's third.

RB: Lucas Vazquez (c) - 7/10 - Ably supported Madrid's wave of attacks down the right flank before injury curse struck. Attempted to carry on but forced off at the interval.

CB: Eder Militao - 6/10 - Suffered a devastating-looking knee injury just before the half-hour mark, awkwardly twisting his knee on the ground. Left the field in agony having been consoled by his teammates.

CB: Antonio Rudiger - 7/10 - Stepped Real Madrid further up the field in the second half in order to squeeze the ball back quicker from Osasuna. Has had far trickier afternoons.

LB: Fran Garcia - 7/10 - Not really tested from a defensive standpoint. Passing and pressing was crisp enough.

DM: Federico Valverde - 7/10 - Played a deeper midfield role in the first 45 minutes before Ancelotti called on his versatility to help out Madrid's ever-increasing defensive injury crisis. Steady as ever.

CM: Eduardo Camavinga - 8/10 - Mopped up in the middle on a number of occasions and helped Madrid assume complete control. Needs to do more when looking to advance the ball but that's a problem to address when facing tougher opposition.

CM: Jude Bellingham - 8/10 - One of his best performances of the season. Perfectly cushioned header set Vinicius away for the opener and his well-timed run, coupled with an exquisite lob, put the game to bed.

RW: Rodrygo - 6/10 - Showed an appetite to impress after being restored to the starting lineup, only for a fresh injury to cut his afternoon short. A cruel blow for the Brazilian who left the pitch in tears.

ST: Kylian Mbappe - 7/10 - Showed flashes of his technical brilliance - blistering pace was also on show - but appeared to be trying too hard at times. Opted to pass to Vinicius at one point when a confident Mbappe would have gone for goal.

LW: Vinicius Junior - 10/10 - Superb finish, whipping the ball inside the near post at pace, set the wheels in motion for Madrid to cruise to victory and he just got better and better from there. Ruthless in front of goal, impossible to tackle, it was another masterclass performance.

Substitutes

Raul Asencio played well after coming on / Mateo Villalba/GettyImages

SUB: Braham Diaz (20' for Rodrygo) - 8/10 - Saw plenty of the ball after early first half introduction, with his standout moment stealing possession deep in Osasuna territory before laying it on a plate for Vinicius.

SUB: Raul Asencio (30' for Militao) - 7/10 - Super, pinpoint long ball over the top was perfectly weighted for Bellingham - the subsequent adulation of his teammates showing just how good the pass was.

SUB: Luka Modric (45' for Vazquez) - 7/10 - Still doesn't play anything like a 39-year-old, ghosting around with ease as Madrid took full control.

SUB: Endrick (75' for Vinicius Junior) - N/A

SUB: Arda Guler (75' for Bellingham) - N/A

Subs not used: Fran Gonzalez (GK), Sergio Mestre (GK), Ferland Mendy, Jesus Vallejo, Dani Ceballos

Carlo Ancelotti - 8/10 - Will be delighted with the response of his players but less so with the injuries suffered by key members of the team. Spirit and love for the manager was on show after Madrid took the lead.