Real Madrid’s eight-match winning streak in La Liga came to a dramatic halt on Saturday, February 21, 2026, as CA Osasuna secured a thrilling 2-1 victory at El Sadar. The loss marks the first league defeat for manager Álvaro Arbeloa since taking charge, handing Barcelona a golden opportunity to reclaim the top spot on Sunday.
The Budimir Breakthrough and VAR Drama
The match in Pamplona began with high intensity, as the home side looked to exploit a Madrid defense missing several key starters.
- The Stoppage: Thibaut Courtois initially kept the scores level with a world-class one-handed save to deny Ante Budimir from close range.
- The Penalty: In the 34th minute, Budimir went down in the box under a challenge from Courtois. While the referee initially booked the striker for simulation, a lengthy VAR review confirmed Courtois had stood on his foot.
- The Goal: Budimir stepped up and sent the Belgian goalkeeper the wrong way to give the hosts a deserved lead.
Vinícius Júnior Responds Amid UEFA Investigation
Despite a quiet first half, Vinícius Júnior once again proved to be Real Madrid’s spark. His 73rd-minute equalizer—his fifth goal in four matches—came just days after he reported alleged racial abuse during the Champions League win over Benfica.
“Vinícius showed incredible mental strength today,” Arbeloa told reporters. “To play at this level with everything happening off the pitch shows why he is a leader in this dressing room.”
Raúl García’s 90th-Minute Heroics
As Real Madrid pushed for a late winner to move five points clear of Barcelona, a defensive lapse proved fatal. In the 90th minute, substitute Dani Ceballos lost possession, allowing Raúl Moro to te up Raúl García de Haro. The striker cut inside past Raúl Asencio and unleashed a clinical finish past Courtois into the top corner, sending El Sadar into rapture.
La Liga Title Race: The Top Two (As of Feb 22, 2026)
| Pos | Team | Played | Points | Upcoming Fixture |
| 1 | Real Madrid | 28 | 60 | vs. Benfica (UCL – Feb 25) |
| 2 | Barcelona | 27 | 58 | vs. Levante (Feb 22) |
What’s Next for Real Madrid?
The focus now shifts back to the Champions League. Real Madrid welcomes Benfica to the Bernabéu on Wednesday for the second leg of their play-off tie, holding a slender 1-0 lead. The availability of Jude Bellingham remains a major concern for Arbeloa following this bruising encounter in Pamplona.
