Osasuna vs Real Madrid Shock 2-1 at El Sadar

Osasuna vs Real Madrid ends 2-1 as late drama, VAR decision and a key Real Madrid vs Osasuna penalty incident decide a tense title race clash

Shortest90
|February 22, 2026

Osasuna vs Real Madrid produced one of the biggest surprises of the La Liga weekend as the hosts secured a dramatic 2-1 victory at El Sadar. In a hostile atmosphere, Madrid once again paid the price for defensive lapses and costly transitions, while Osasuna showed discipline, energy and belief to claim a historic win.

The result tightens the title race and raises fresh questions about Madrid’s structure without the ball.

Early Pressure Exposes Madrid’s Defensive Gaps

From the opening minutes, Osasuna made their intentions clear. They pressed aggressively and attacked the wide areas, particularly targeting the space behind Madrid’s full backs. Several early crosses found Ante Budimir in dangerous positions, forcing key saves from Thibaut Courtois.

Madrid struggled to control possession with composure. Their shape often looked stretched, leaving large gaps during defensive transitions. Osasuna capitalised on this lack of compactness and repeatedly entered the final third with numbers.

The Real Madrid vs Osasuna turning point began to take shape as the home side grew in confidence.

The Real Madrid vs Osasuna Penalty Incident

The breakthrough arrived after a contentious moment that will be widely debated. Budimir chased a through ball and went down following contact from Courtois. Initially, there were doubts, with some believing it was minimal contact.

However, after review, the referee awarded the spot kick. The Real Madrid vs Osasuna VAR decision confirmed that Courtois had clipped the striker. Budimir converted calmly to give Osasuna a 1-0 lead.

The Real Madrid vs Osasuna penalty incident immediately shifted the momentum. Madrid were forced into chase mode once again, something that has become a recurring theme this season.

Vinicius Responds but Madrid Waste Chances

Madrid eventually found their equaliser through Vinicius Junior. Federico Valverde drove forward from midfield and found the Brazilian inside the box, where he finished clinically to make it 1-1.

For a brief period, Madrid looked capable of completing the comeback. Kylian Mbappe had a goal ruled out for offside, while Arda Guler tested the goalkeeper from distance. Yet despite the pressure, Madrid’s final ball lacked precision.

Several Real Madrid vs Osasuna controversial moments followed, including appeals for fouls in the buildup and frustration over defensive positioning. Still, the decisive blow was yet to come.

Late Goal Seals Osasuna Triumph

With Madrid pushing numbers forward late in the match, Osasuna struck on the counter. A quick break caught Madrid exposed once again, and a composed finish at the near post beat Courtois to make it 2-1 in the 89th minute.

The stadium erupted as Osasuna secured a first home win over Madrid in more than a decade. VAR checked the goal for offside but found no infringement, confirming the dramatic winner.

Title Race Implications

The defeat leaves Real Madrid under pressure as the title race tightens. Osasuna vs Real Madrid was expected to be a routine fixture for the visitors, but instead it exposed tactical concerns, especially in defensive transitions.

For Osasuna, the victory represents belief and resilience. For Madrid, it is a reminder that structural balance and intensity remain crucial if they are to stay ahead in the race for the league crown.