Osasuna Vs Real Madrid — Why a stoppage-time winner changes the La Liga picture

Here’s why it matters: osasuna vs real madrid ended with a late winner that reshuffles immediate title math and forces Madrid to confront tactical shortfalls ahead of a busy week. The shock loss hands Barcelona a live opportunity to overtake the leaders if they beat Levante (kick-off 15: 15 GMT), and leaves questions about fatigue, substitutions and game management at El Sadar.

What the result forces next

Real Madrid arrive at the midweek fixtures under pressure. The defeat means Barcelona, trailing by two points, can go back on top with victory over Levante tomorrow (15: 15 GMT). Álvaro Arbeloa has been blunt: the team has room to improve and faces a long run of fixtures that will demand more intensity and speed. Madrid now must balance recovery and tactical corrections before a Champions League second leg on Wednesday against Benfica.

Osasuna Vs Real Madrid — match snapshot

The game finished 2-1 as Osasuna secured a late winner. Real Madrid fell behind to an Ante Budimir penalty after a video assistant review showed the goalkeeper had stood on Budimir’s foot; the referee reversed an initial booking for simulation and Budimir converted the spot-kick. Federico Valverde later surged down the left and fed Vinícius Júnior, who slid home a leveller in the 73rd minute. In added time, after Dani Ceballos lost possession, Raúl Moro released Raúl García, who beat Raúl Asencio and rifled into the top corner for the decisive strike. Raúl García’s 90th-minute effort consigned the league leaders to defeat.

Match atmosphere, incidents and player notes

El Sadar was electric as Osasuna breathed life into a title race already heavy with drama. Osasuna are unbeaten in their last six La Liga matches (W4 D2) — their longest such run since August 2024, when a six-match spell returned P6 W2 D4. Moments from the match: a goal from García was initially flagged offside but given after a VAR review; Vinícius Jr received a yellow card for dissent; Trent Alexander-Arnold was booked for a foul on Víctor Muñoz and had a free-kick curl well off target; Alejandro Catena also sent a header well off target earlier in the contest.

Arbeloa’s assessment and squad management

After the game at El Sadar, Arbeloa framed the loss as a reminder of shortcomings rather than a crisis. He said Valverde was substituted in the 75th minute after feeling recurring minor discomfort; the decision aimed to avoid risk of injury. Arbeloa noted there were two very tight offside calls that went against his side and suggested the team lacked punch, speed and intensity up front. He stressed that playing quicker against low blocks is essential and that Madrid have many matches left with a lot to improve. The manager also warned that performing day to day is the required standard, and that matching opponents’ intensity is non-negotiable.

Key takeaways

• Osasuna’s stoppage-time winner hands them a famous victory and keeps their unbeaten run at six matches (W4 D2).
• Real Madrid conceded from a spot-kick after a VAR intervention showed contact on Ante Budimir; Madrid levelled through Vinícius from a Valverde cross but conceded late.
• Raúl García has scored three goals this season after coming off the bench, and his late strike underlines his impact as a substitute.
• Vinícius had been involved in earlier European ties and was earlier the target of alleged racial abuse; he was later booked for dissent in this match.
• Madrid face another important match on Wednesday in the Champions League against Benfica, a fixture Arbeloa singled out as part of the immediate challenge.

If you’re wondering why this keeps coming up: the result compresses the top of the table and hands Barcelona a clear, time-sensitive chance to change standings. The real question now is how Madrid respond tactically and physically with fast turnaround games.

It’s easy to overlook, but the bigger signal here is Madrid’s admitted need to speed up play against low blocks and to diversify their attacking focus away from one flank — a point Arbeloa repeatedly emphasised when discussing first-half control and limited penetration. What remains unclear in the provided context is the completion of one statement in the reaction material, which appears truncated and therefore cannot be reported in full.

Micro timeline: Budimir penalty after VAR review; Valverde substituted in 75th minute with Vinícius level in 73rd; late turnover led to García’s 90th-minute winner. Schedule note: Barcelona can move top with a Levante win at 15: 15 GMT tomorrow. Schedule and squad conditions are subject to update as clubs confirm availability.