Real Madrid Slip in La Liga
Real Madrid suffered a 2-1 defeat to Osasuna with goals from Ante Budimir (penalty, 34') and Raúl García, despite Fede Valverde's 73rd-minute equalizer. The loss puts Madrid two points behind Barcelona in La Liga. Manager Álvaro Arboloa criticized the team's approach, stating they "lacked quick ball movement and creativity — it's a conceptual issue, not just tactical execution."
- This defeat snapped Real Madrid's eight-game winning streak in La Liga. - The victory was historic for Osasuna, as it broke a 24-match winless streak against Real Madrid in La Liga, the longest such run for any team against them. - The deciding goal came late, with Osasuna's Raúl García scoring in the 90th minute of the match. - Manager Álvaro Arbeloa is a former Real Madrid player who was appointed head coach in January 2026, having been promoted from the club's reserve team, Real Madrid Castilla. - Barcelona now has the opportunity to overtake Real Madrid for the top spot in the league, as they have played one fewer game. - Real Madrid's next match is the second leg of a Champions League tie against Benfica, followed by a league game against Getafe. - The loss comes despite the recent strong form of Vinícius Júnior, who scored his fifth goal in his last four appearances across all competitions. - Off the pitch, forward Vinícius Júnior was the target of alleged racist abuse during a Champions League match against Benfica on February 17th, an incident currently under investigation by UEFA.
