After serving a one-game ban, Vinicius spearheaded Madrid's offence on Saturday, with Karim Benzema taking a break in preparation for Tuesday's Champions League round of 16 match against Liverpool. Madrid's leading scorer with 16 goals in all competitions is Vinicus. Yet he was unable to defeat Sergio Herrera in goal for Osasuna in three one-on-one chances before he helped Federico Valverde score at El Sadar Stadium in the 78th minute.
Vinicius was played by Luka Modric all the way down the left side of the field. He was surrounded by two players, but the Brazil striker swung a pass to Valverde, who arrived in a second wave and steered the ball into the goal. After stealing the ball and assisting his fellow replacement, 18-year-old Alvaro Rodriguez, Marco Asensio scored a second goal in stoppage time.