La Liga: Real Madrid suffer title blow in shocking Osasuna defeat
La Liga leaders Real Madrid suffered a damaging 2-1 defeat away to Osasuna, conceding late to hand momentum in the title race to their rivals Barcelona.
Madrid remain top of the table, but Barcelona can move into first place with victory on Sunday.
Osasuna strike before the break
The hosts created the clearer openings in a subdued first half. Thibaut Courtois was forced into action early, pushing away a close-range header following a well-rehearsed set piece.
Ante Budimir then headed against the post with Courtois beaten, underlining Osasuna’s early threat.
The breakthrough came when Budimir reacted quickest to defensive hesitation, rounded Courtois and was brought down.
After a VAR review confirmed sufficient contact, the striker converted the penalty to give the Pamplona side a deserved lead.
Madrid struggled to impose themselves after the interval but found a response just past the hour mark.
Vinicius levels, late blow follows
A driving run from Federico Valverde shifted things. The midfielder surged forward and cut the ball back for Vinicius Junior, who finished confidently from inside the area to make it 1-1.
The equaliser appeared to signal a familiar Madrid turnaround. Instead, defensive lapses resurfaced in stoppage time.
Raul Garcia cut inside, evaded challenges and fired past Courtois in the 92nd minute to seal victory for Osasuna.
The result tightens the title race and raises questions over Madrid’s defense at a critical stage of the campaign.
