Injuries mar Real Madrid's big win

Real Madrid's 4-0 win over Osasuna had plenty for fans at the Santiago Bernabéu to cheer about: a hat trick for Vinícius Júnior, a goal finally for Jude Bellingham, and rare minutes for Endrick and Arda Güler. But a trio of first-half injuries -- one of them serious -- took the shine off an otherwise important victory.

Madrid can cope without Rodrygo and Lucas Vázquez for a month. But Éder Militão's season-ending ACL tear -- his second in two years -- is another matter. Madrid were already short at centre-back, having opted to gamble on getting through this season with just Militao, Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba -- the latter not yet back from an ACL tear himself -- as their only elite options in the position.

Now they're without Militao, and Alaba isn't fully fit yet. Backup Jesús Vallejo isn't good enough, and Aurélien Tchouaméni, who coach Carlo Ancelotti often picks at centre-back when needed, is injured, too. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that Dani Carvajal is out for the season at right back, and now his replacement, Vazquez, is missing too. At least Ancelotti has the international break now to think it all over.

Back to the positives: Bellingham's goal, his first for his club in six months, felt significant. He looked genuinely touched by the ovation he received from the crowd when he was substituted. And yes, Kylian Mbappé was unable to score from his five shots, but the fans are still behind him. Twice they chanted Mbappé's name after misses, letting him know they're still backing him to deliver.