Real Madrid 4 - Osasuna 1

Real Madrid: Casillas; Salgado (Miñambres 83'), Hierro, Iván Helguera, Roberto Carlos; Flavio Conceiçao (Celades 62'), Cambiasso; Figo, Raúl, Solari; Guti (Morientes 73'). 4-2-3-1.
Osasuna: Unzué; Mateo, Cruchaga, Vidrio, Paqui; Alfredo, Pablo García; Rivero, Gancedo (Aloisi 73'), Antonio López (Moha 46'); Iván Rosado. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Madrid: Flavio Conceiçao, Solari, Guti for Makelele, Zidane, Morientes / Osasuna: Mateo, Alfredo for Yanguas, Puñal.

Goals:
1-0. 10. Iván Helguera. Deflected ball in with heel after Cambiasso pass.
2-0. 49. Guti. Shot low wide of Unzué after defence gave ball away.
3-0. 52. Raúl. Got ahead of defence to turn in Figo's cross from close range.
3-1. 59. Rivero (penalty). After Casillas ruled to have brought down Iván Rosado.
4-1. 80. Iván Helguera. Headed ball on past keeper from Figo free kick.

Real Madrid cruised to an easy 4-1 win over Osasuna to keep in touch with the leaders. Del Bosque's side were missing French internationals Makelele and Zidane through injury, and that gave a chance to Flavio and Solari to get a game. Ronaldo was still not included in the squad (he is expected to make his debut on Wednesday night in the Champions League), and the manager opted to play Guti up front rather than Morientes after his two goals at Roma midweek.

The game started with nerves showing through, and three players were booked following a minor brawl when Hierro brought down Iván Rosado with a scything tackle. Within ten minutes though Madrid were in front, Iván Helguera running on to a precise long pass from the on-form Cambiasso to surprise Unzué with a clever backheel flick into the net.

Aguirre had decided to change the Osasuna formation from the usual three at the back to spice up their game, and Casillas had to be at his best to save from Rosado after the restart. However a failed clearance by Vidrio fell at the feet of Guti who had time to pick his spot with a low shot wide of the keeper. Three minutes later Raúl stole ahead of a static Cruchaga to meet Figo's pass on the near post and score his first league goal in the Bernabeu since March. Game over.

The visitors did get one back from the penalty spot after Casillas was ruled to have brought down Iván Rosado, Rivero converting the kick. However Helguera got his second of the night ten minutes from the end from Figo's free kick to round off a comfortable victory. As the players were leaving the pitch Helguera clashed with Pablo García, but it came to nothing. The celebrating fans didn't even notice.