Real Madrid 2 - Osasuna 0

Madrid: Casillas; Sergio Ramos, Cannavaro, Pepe, Marcelo (Heinze 78'); Baptista (Guti 60'), Diarra (Gago 74'), Sneijder; Raúl, Van Nistelrooy, Robinho. 4-3-3.
Osasuna: Ricardo; Azpilicueta, Miguel Flaño, Josetxo, Monreal; Erice; Carlos Vela, Héctor Font (Portillo 80'), Margairaz (Hugo Viana 60'), Plasil (Delporte 72'); Dady. 4-1-4-1.

Team changes: Madrid: Marcelo for Miguel Torres / Osasuna: Josetxo, Monreal, Erice, Margairaz, Dady for Cruchaga, Corrales, Puñal, Javi García, Portillo.

Goals:
1-0. 15. Van Nistelrooy. Got above defence to head long Sneijder free kick into net.
2-0. 75. Sneijder. Picked up Van Nistelrooy pass and drove shot past Ricardo.

Real Madrid made sure of top spot coming in to the Christmas break after beating Osasuna 2-0 on the 60th anniversary of the inauguration of the Santiago Bernabeu stadium. There were a few uncomfortable minutes for the hosts at the start though, with Plasil curling a free kick wide, Miguel Flaño heading another free kick across the face of the goal and Vela having a dangerous cross cleared. But on the quarter hour mark Van Nistelrooy headed Bernd Schuster's side into the lead from Sneijder's long free kick, and there was no looking back.

Van Nistelrooy brought good saves out of his ex Manchester United team mate Ricardo either side of half time, and the keeper did well to keep out Robinho a couple of times later on. Raúl failed to take advantage when Ricardo did make a bad clearance, and for a few minutes doubts started to creep in as Vela and Plasil both tested Casillas at the other end.

With fifteen minutes to go though a quick passing move between Robinho and Guti ended with Van Nistelrooy squaring across for Sneijder to shoot wide of the keeper. That was effectively the end of the contest, and Madrid made it fifteen home wins in a row to end the weekend four points clear of Barcelona, who they meet in the Nou Camp next Sunday. Osasuna drop to sixteenth, and they are only clear of the relegation spots on goal difference.