Osasuna Stuns Real Madrid in LaLiga Title Race
Pamplona – Osasuna delivered a major upset in LaLiga on Saturday, defeating league leaders Real Madrid 2-1 at El Sadar Stadium. The result throws the Spanish title race wide open, offering Barcelona a chance to reclaim the top spot.
First-Half Lead for Osasuna
Osasuna took the lead in the 38th minute through a penalty converted by Ante Budimir. The penalty was awarded after a controversial decision involving Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Madrid’s Response and Late Heartbreak
Real Madrid struggled to break down Osasuna’s defense and found themselves trailing at halftime. Vinicius Junior equalized for the visitors in the 73rd minute, assisted by Fede Valverde, briefly restoring hope for a comeback.
However, Osasuna snatched the victory in stoppage time with a brilliant finish from Raul Garcia de Haro in the 91st minute, sending the home crowd into raptures.
Title Implications
The defeat leaves Real Madrid at 60 points, potentially jeopardizing their lead in the title race. Barcelona now has the opportunity to move ahead of Real Madrid if they defeat Levante on Sunday. Reuters reports that this is Real Madrid’s first defeat to Osasuna since 2011.
Osasuna’s Impressive Form
Osasuna extended their unbeaten streak to six matches with this victory, increasing their points tally to 33 and bolstering their chances of pushing for a European spot. SoccerNews highlights Osasuna’s strong home form, having secured 21 points from 11 matches at El Sadar.
Mbappe and Guler Incident
The match also saw a notable moment involving Real Madrid stars Kylian Mbappe and Arda Güler. A disagreement occurred during play when Mbappe’s pass to Güler led to a moment of hesitation, with Güler ultimately passing to Vinicius. This incident sparked debate on social media, with some criticizing Mbappe for potentially undermining team play and others questioning Güler’s decision-making.
Match Details
- Final Score: Osasuna 2 – 1 Real Madrid
- Goals: Budimir (38′ pen), Garcia (90+1′) – Vinicius Jr (73′)
- Venue: El Sadar Stadium, Pamplona
Barcelona’s match against Levante will be crucial in determining the direction of the LaLiga title race. The outcome will either see Real Madrid maintain a narrow lead or Barcelona reclaim the top position.