Osasuna stuns Real Madrid as Atletico cruises past Espanyol in La Liga

MADRID, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) — Real Madrid’s eight-match winning streak came to a dramatic halt on Saturday night as CA Osasuna produced a stirring performance in Pamplona to claim a 2-1 victory and hand the capital club their first league defeat since early January. The result means Madrid’s stay at the top of the table could be short-lived; should FC Barcelona defeat Levante at Camp Nou on Sunday, the Catalan side will leapfrog Los Blancos in the standings.

Osasuna, buoyed by a raucous El Sadar crowd, carried their upward trajectory of 2026 into the contest and set the tone with relentless pressing from the opening whistle. The breakthrough arrived seven minutes before the interval when Ante Budimir, latching onto a swift counter, was felled in the area only to pick himself up and convert the ensuing spot-kick for the hosts’ opener.

The Pamplona outfit doubled their advantage midway through the second half, punishing a Madrid side that appeared sluggish after Wednesday’s European exertions. Although the visitors pulled one back late on, the mountainous lead proved insurmountable, and the final whistle sparked scenes of jubilation among the home faithful.

Across the capital, city rivals Atletico Madrid had a far calmer evening, dispatching RCD Espanyol with minimal fuss to keep pace near the summit. The comprehensive win maintains Atletico’s momentum as they continue to apply pressure on the leading pair.

With Barcelona poised to capitalize on Madrid’s slip, the title race has been blown wide open ahead of next weekend’s fixtures.