Real Madrid’s title charge hit a roadblock on Saturday as the defending champions were held to a 1-1 draw by Osasuna in Pamplona. The match, played at El Sadar Stadium, was a rollercoaster of emotions for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, who saw their lead at the top of LaLiga potentially narrowed down by rivals. Despite taking an early lead through Kylian Mbappé, Madrid’s momentum was derailed when Jude Bellingham was sent off just before halftime, and the 10-man team couldn’t hold on to their advantage. Osasuna capitalized on the man advantage, equalizing in the 58th minute through Ante Budimir’s penalty. The result leaves Madrid’s grip on the title looking shaky, with both Atlético Madrid and Barcelona poised to close the gap in the coming days.
The game started brightly for Real Madrid, with Mbappé continuing his scintillating form in front of goal. The French forward, who has now scored in 11 consecutive league games, struck in the 15th minute to give his team the lead. Mbappé’s finish was clinical, and at that point, it seemed like Madrid was on course for another routine victory. However, the tide turned dramatically five minutes before halftime when Bellingham was shown a straight red card. The young midfielder’s dismissal, reportedly for protesting a decision, left Madrid down to 10 men and handed Osasuna a lifeline.
Osasuna wasted no time in exploiting their numerical advantage. After a video review, referee José Luis Munuera awarded the hosts a penalty when Eduardo Camavinga was adjudged to have stamped on Ante Budimir inside the box. Budimir, the Osasuna striker, calmly converted the spot-kick in the 58th minute, sending the home crowd into raptures. Despite their best efforts, Madrid struggled to regain control of the game, and the final result was a frustrating draw for Ancelotti’s team. The Italian coach was also booked earlier in the game for his protests over what he believed was a handball by an Osasuna player.
The draw at El Sadar Stadium has significant implications for the LaLiga title race. Madrid’s lead at the top is now under serious threat, with Atlético Madrid trailing by just two points ahead of their match against Celta Vigo later on Saturday. Barcelona, meanwhile, has the chance to pull level with Madrid if they defeat Rayo Vallecano on Monday. The defending champions’ dropped points come at a critical juncture, and they can ill afford more slip-ups if they are to retain their title.
The match was also marred by controversy, with Madrid’s players and staff clearly upset by several refereeing decisions. The red card for Bellingham and the penalty awarded to Osasuna were the most contentious moments, and these incidents are likely to deepen Madrid’s growing sense of frustration with officiating in LaLiga. Earlier this season, the club had sent a strongly worded letter to the Spanish football federation, expressing their dissatisfaction with what they perceive as inconsistent and biased refereeing. Saturday’s events will only add fuel to that fire.
For Osasuna, the result was a welcome boost. The Pamplona-based club moved into seventh place in the table, continuing their impressive form this season. In September, they famously defeated Barcelona 4-2 when the Catalan giants were leading the league, and this draw against Madrid shows they are capable of troubling even the biggest teams. The result will also be a confidence booster for Jagoba Arrasate’s side as they aim to climb higher up the table. Madrid, on the other hand, will need to regroup and refocus quickly if they are to reclaim their dominance in the title race. The LaLiga campaign is heating up, and every point counts.
