Real Madrid beaten by Osasuna to boost Barcelona in La Liga title race

Madrid, 20 April — La Liga leaders Real Madrid suffered a dramatic 2-1 defeat to Osasuna on Saturday, a result that instantly reopened the championship fight and handed the initiative to perennial rivals Barcelona.

The match appeared destined for a share of the spoils after Vinicius Junior cancelled out Ante Budimir’s first-half penalty with a 73rd-minute strike, yet Raul Garcia smashed home from close range in the 90th minute to ignite wild celebrations among the home faithful at El Sadar.

The loss leaves Madrid on top of the table by only two points, but crucially Carlo Ancelotti’s side have now contested one more fixture than second-placed Barcelona. Should Xavi Hernández’s men overcome Levante on Sunday they will leapfrog their Clásico adversaries with six rounds remaining.

Osasuna, comfortably mid-table and with little but pride to play for, approached the contest without trepidation. Budimir’s calm conversion from the spot in the 21st minute rewarded their early enterprise, and although Vinicius levelled with a sweeping finish, the hosts refused to retreat. Garcia’s last-gasp intervention was no less than their persistence deserved and could yet resonate far beyond Pamplona.

Elsewhere on a breathless afternoon, Real Sociedad and bottom side Real Oviedo traded blows in a 3-3 thriller at Anoeta. Federico Vinas appeared to have sealed a stunning upset with headed goals in the 50th and 52nd minutes, only for Orri Oskarsson to drag the Basques back into contention. Caleta-Car nodded in an 87th-minute equaliser and Oskarsson struck again in the 90th, yet Eric Bailly rescued a point for Oviedo in the 92nd before Goncalo Guedes clipped the woodwork in the 99th.

European qualification hopes also took a twist as fifth-place Real Betis were held 1-1 at home by Rayo Vallecano. Cedric Bakambu’s opener was swiftly neutralised by Isi Palazon, leaving Manuel Pellegrini’s side at risk of losing ground in the race for a Champions League berth.

With the summit now within Barcelona’s reach, Sunday’s encounter at Camp Nou has assumed season-defining proportions, while Madrid must regroup quickly to prevent their destiny slipping from their grasp.