A win would have helped Real climb over leaders and arch-rivals Barcelona on goal difference following the latter's a 1-1 draw with Villarreal on Saturday.

Barca remained on top with 40 points, two ahead of second-placed Real.

Real struggled to create clear-cut opportunities against Osasuna, with Portuguese wizard Cristiano Ronaldo failing to sparkle.

Despite the team's lack of creativity, they could have claimed all three points but Argentinean forward Gonzalo Higuain saw a close-range shot superbly blocked by Osasuna keeper Ricardo in the second half.