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Osasuna stun Madrid with late winner to hand Barcelona title advantage
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- Osasuna stun Madrid with late winner to hand Barcelona title advantage
Osasuna stun Madrid with late winner to hand Barcelona title advantage
Osasuna stunned Real Madrid with a dramatic 2-1 victory at El Sadar today, ending the league leaders' eight-match winning run and handing Barcelona the initiative in the title race.
Madrid travelled to Pamplona seeking to extend their advantage at the top, but suffered a damaging defeat that could reshape the weekend's standings.
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The hosts began with intensity and quickly unsettled the visitors despite Madrid dominating early possession.
Ante Budimir twice went close inside the opening half-hour, first curling narrowly wide before striking the post with a header.
Thibaut Courtois was required to produce a sharp one-handed save to deny the Croatian striker as Osasuna built confidence.
The breakthrough arrived late in the first half after a VAR review judged Courtois to have clipped Budimir inside the area.
Budimir converted the resulting penalty with composure, sending Courtois the wrong way to give Osasuna a deserved lead.
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Madrid struggled to respond immediately and entered the interval under pressure.
Alvaro Arbeloa's side showed greater urgency after the restart and gradually pushed Osasuna deeper.
Kylian Mbappe appeared to have equalised with a fine finish into the top corner, only for the offside flag to intervene.
The visitors did level shortly afterwards when Federico Valverde 's driven cross found Vinicius Junior unmarked at close range.
Vinícius converted confidently, marking another decisive contribution after an emotionally charged week.
Madrid looked the more likely to score a winner as momentum shifted in their favour. However, Osasuna remained organised and waited for their moment.
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That opportunity came in stoppage time when Raul Garcia collected possession on the left side of the area.
He cut inside and produced a precise finish beyond Courtois, sparking wild celebrations among the home supporters.
The goal was initially flagged offside, but a VAR review confirmed Garcaa had timed his run perfectly.
Madrid were unable to mount a late response, and the final whistle sealed a rare league triumph for Osasuna against the capital club.
The result lifts Osasuna into the top ten and extends their unbeaten run. The defeat leaves Madrid vulnerable at the top of the table.
Barcelona now have the chance to overtake their rivals and reclaim first place.
The title race has tightened significantly, with Madrid's margin for error reduced after a night that shifted momentum away from them.
