Nekounam, Shojaei shine as Real Madrid held by Osasuna

Requiring victory in Pamplona to go above their Catalans rivals on goal difference, the visitors were limited to long-range efforts in a poor first half, before having penalty appeals waved away in first-half stoppage time after Cristiano Ronaldo theatrically went to ground while attempting to make space for himself on the edge of the box.

Osasuna had two scrappy opportunities, but Gonzalo Higuain missed a gilt-edged chance on the counter attack and despite bringing Karim Benzema and Raul off the substitutes' bench, the visitors were held in a stalemate to lie two points behind Barcelona in the title race.

In a city famous for its bull run, Madrid struggled to grab the game by its horns in a stop-start first half.

Brazil playmaker Kaka, who had been tipped to return from a hernia problem, was absent again and the visitors were not nearly as creative or clinical as in their last Primera Division clash, the 6-0 home win over Real Zaragoza prior to the winter break.

Raul Albiol fired a speculative long-range effort well over after 11 minutes before Marcelo sliced well wide after 21 minutes.

Rodrigues Roversio headed wide from Nacho Monreal's free-kick as Osasuna threatened for the first time after 32 minutes.

Madrid then had a set-piece opportunity at the other end after Javad Nekounam was booked for a foul on Lassana Diarra.

A corner resulted and Rafael van der Vaart found Ezequiel Garay, who could only head wide.

Van der Vaart then saw an effort held by Ricardo before Osasuna came close to shocking Real before half-time.

Juanfran's corner caused havoc in the visitors' defence, with Carlos Aranda's strike hitting Garay before Alvaro Arbeloa scrambled clear.

Ronaldo then neatly brought the ball down on the edge of the area but as he attempted to weave around the Osasuna defence, he was blocked by Nekounam.

The world's most expensive player tumbled to the ground, but his theatrical fall did Madrid no favours as the referee waved away appeals for a penalty.

Marcelo had a shot stopped by Ricardo, Higuain had an effort from the edge of the area blocked and Ronaldo shot off target with a 30-yard free-kick as Madrid again failed to find the target.

Higuain then combined with Marcelo in the right channel to carve open the Osasuna defence before the Argentina international dragged his shot across the face of goal.

The striker had an even better chance a few moments later, but only after Sergio Ramos had flicked the ball away at the back post after Monreal's teasing cross from the right.

Real broke at pace for Higuain to go through on goal, only to see his effort tipped over by Ricardo.

Substitute Benzema shot wide from 12 yards before being joined up front by Raul, who took the place of Higuain.

But Osasuna's rearguard continued to frustrate the star-studded visitors.