The Real Madrid title race takes a chaotic turn as Osasuna stun the leaders 2-1, opening the door for Barcelona to take the top spot. Alvaro Arbeloa took his side to Pamplona expecting to consolidate their lead. Instead, they left with nothing. The defeat at El Sadar marks a critical potential turning point in the 2026 season.
Real Madrid Title Race Blow
The match began poorly for the visitors. Ante Budimir gave Osasuna the lead in the first half from the penalty spot. Nova Sports News observed a lack of intensity from the league leaders. They struggled to break down a resolute Osasuna defense for much of the game.
Hope briefly returned in the 73rd minute. Vinicius Junior salvaged a lifeline with a well-taken goal. The Brazilian leveled the game and seemingly set the stage for a late winner. Madrid fans expected the team to push on for all three points.
However, the script flipped in the dying moments. Raul Garcia struck a winner from close range in the 90th minute. The goal sent the home fans into delirium and left the Madrid bench in shock. This result dramatically alters the La Liga standings 2026.
Barcelona Eye the Summit
This defeat leaves Madrid just two points clear of Barcelona. Crucially, the Catalan giants have played one game fewer. If Barca beats Levante on Sunday, they will leapfrog their rivals into first place.
Alvaro Arbeloa tactics will now face scrutiny. His team failed to control the game against a mid-table opponent. The pressure now shifts entirely to the Camp Nou.
In other news, Real Sociedad played out a wild 3-3 draw with Real Oviedo. Orri Oskarsson scored twice for Sociedad, but Eric Bailly rescued a point for Oviedo in stoppage time. The drama in Spain continues to deliver.
Nova Sports News will monitor the fallout as the Real Madrid title race heats up. The advantage has firmly shifted to Catalonia.
