Vinicius Jr’s Hat-Trick Leads Real Madrid to Victory Amid Injury Woes

Vinicius Jr shone with a brilliant hat-trick as Real Madrid triumphed 4-0 over Osasuna, a victory clouded by Eder Militao’s severe knee injury. The Brazilian defender suffered a complete anterior cruciate ligament tear involving both menisci in his right leg after an awkward landing during a corner. His agonizing exit on a stretcher marked a significant setback for the team. Militao’s place was filled by 21-year-old Raul Asencio, making his Real debut.

Real Madrid confirmed that Militao will undergo surgery in the coming days. Manager Carlo Ancelotti expressed concern about the strain on players, noting, “Three injuries in the first half is quite rare. The demands of the schedule do not allow players to rest and be fresh. The risk of injuries is higher. It is a general thing, not just for us.”

Despite these issues, Vinicius Jr spearheaded Madrid’s attack. He opened the scoring by cutting in from the left and finding the far corner past goalkeeper Sergio Herrera. Jude Bellingham doubled the lead, showcasing finesse as he controlled Asencio’s impressive long ball and chipped it over Herrera.

Vinicius secured his second after the break with help from a perfect long pass by goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, rounding Herrera for an easy finish. The Brazilian completed his hat-trick following a quick assist from substitute Brahim Diaz, who had intercepted Osasuna’s Enzo Boyomo.

However, Real’s win was marred by further injuries. Rodrygo limped off after 20 minutes, and Lucas Vazquez couldn’t continue beyond halftime. This adds to a growing injury list that includes Dani Carvajal, sidelined with an ACL tear, and David Alaba, also recovering from a knee issue.

Real Madrid’s dominant win places them six points behind leaders Barcelona, who could extend their lead when they face Real Sociedad on Sunday at 20:00 GMT.