Vinícius nets 3 in win as 3 Real Madrid players go down hurt

Madrid, AP: Vinícius Júnior scored a hat trick as Real Madrid achieved a much-needed 4-0 win over Osasuna in La Liga that was marred by teammate Éder Militão tearing an ACL. Madrid heard jeers in its previous two home games a 4-0 loss to fierce rival Barcelona and 3-1 loss to AC Milan but this easy victory came at a high price. Militão crumbled to the turf while screaming and clutching the back of his right knee shortly before halftime. The central defender was taken off on a stretcher. Rodrygo and Lucas Vázquez also were unable to continue after apparently sustaining muscle injuries in the first half.

“We played a good game and I am happy for the goals, but sad for the injuries to Mili, Rodry and Lucas,” Vinícius said. “I am sad that Mili has to go through this again." Vinícius, who apparently felt overlooked when the Ballon d'Or went to Spain's Rodri last week, got his second hat trick of the season and took his overall tally to 12 goals. Jude Bellingham's goal made it 2-0. “Vinícius makes the difference,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said. “Not winning the Ballon d'Or is a detail that did not affect him as we can see today.” Madrid is in second place, six points behind leader Barcelona. Rodrygo was injured early. The forward, who missed the clasico due to another injury, wept as he walked gingerly to the bench, where a team medic put ice on his left leg.

Worse was to come when Militão went down. He pulled his jersey over his face as he was carried off on the halfhour mark. The club said he ruptured his ACL and would need surgery. Militão tore an ACL in his other leg, his left, in the opener of last season and was out until March before coming back to help Madrid win the Champions League and La Liga.