Vinicius scores hat-trick to help Real Madrid return to winning ways

The Brazilian forward opened the scoring in the 34th minute after taking a Jude Bellingham pass in his stride to beat the offside trap and firing an unstoppable strike past goalkeeper Sergio Herrera.

Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior celebrates after scoring against Osasuna. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr scored a hat-trick to help the LaLiga champion snap a two-game winless run in all competitions with a commanding 4-0 victory over Osasuna on Saturday.

The Brazilian forward opened the scoring in the 34th minute after taking a Jude Bellingham pass in his stride to beat the offside trap and firing an unstoppable strike past goalkeeper Sergio Herrera.

Bellingham recovered his scoring instinct by netting his first goal of the season with a brilliant finish eight minutes later, lobbing the ball over the goalkeeper to extend Real’s lead.

Vinicius wrapped up the home side’s win with strikes in the 61st and 69th minutes, helping second-placed Real climb to 27 points, six behind leaders Barcelona. Osasuna are fifth on 21 points.

Militao carried off on a stretcher with leg injury

Real defender Éder Militão left the field on a stretcher after what appeared to be a serious leg injury in the first half.

Militão crumbled to the ground in the rival’s area and held the back of his right knee. The 26-year-old Brazil center back pulled his jersey over his face as medics carried him off at Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

Militão missed most of last season after he tore his left ACL in the season opener. He returned in March and helped the team win the Champions League and Spanish league titles.

Madrid and Brazil forward Rodgryo was also injured before Militão went down. He went to the bench and had ice applied to his left leg.

Right back Lucas Vázquez was also substituted at halftime after he was clearly hampered by a leg issue.

(With inputs from AP)