Osasuna Triumphs Over Real Madrid With Last-Minute Goal, Shaking La Liga Standings
Osasuna defeats Real Madrid 2-1 at El Sadar with a late winner, ending Madrid's winning streak and impacting the La Liga title race.
- • Osasuna defeated Real Madrid 2-1 at El Sadar with a stoppage-time winning goal by Raúl García de Haro.
- • Ante Budimir opened the scoring for Osasuna from a penalty in the 38th minute after a foul by Courtois.
- • Vinicius Junior equalized for Real Madrid in the 72nd minute, continuing his strong scoring form.
- • Real Madrid ended an eight-game winning streak and lost their league lead pending Barcelona's match outcome.
Key details
In a dramatic La Liga encounter at El Sadar on February 21, 2026, Osasuna secured a historic 2-1 victory against Real Madrid, marking their first home win over the Spanish giants since 2011. The match featured pivotal moments, including a penalty converted by Ante Budimir in the 38th minute, giving Osasuna an early lead after a foul by Real Madrid's goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Real Madrid, coming off an eight-match winning streak under coach Álvaro Arbeloa and having recently taken the league lead, struggled to impose their usual dominance. Their performance was marked by a lack of energy and creativity, especially in the first half, as highlighted by analysts. The visitors managed to level the score in the 72nd minute through Vinicius Junior, who scored his fifth goal in four matches, capitalizing on an assist from Federico Valverde.
However, Osasuna responded quickly and fiercely. In stoppage time, Raúl García de Haro capitalized on a critical defensive error by Madrid to score a stunning winning goal, sealing the victory. The win extended Osasuna's unbeaten streak to six matches and emphasized their rising form this season.
Real Madrid's goalkeeper Courtois was a standout in the match with crucial saves, including stopping a penalty and a shot that struck the post, though some defensive lapses proved costly. Dani Carvajal's return after a 147-day absence brought some attacking spark, but even that wasn't enough to offset the team's overall disjointed effort. Midfield was bolstered by Tchouameni's solid ball recoveries, while Kylian Mbappé struggled to make an impact, often isolated from play.
The defeat represents a major setback for Real Madrid, potentially costing them the top spot if FC Barcelona wins their upcoming match against Levante. It punctuates ongoing struggles with consistency and pressure-maintenance for the reigning league leaders.
As Osasuna celebrated a well-deserved win that invigorates their campaign, Real Madrid faces critical introspection to regain their earlier formidable form in La Liga.
This article was translated and synthesized from Spanish sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
