Osasuna beat LaLiga leaders Real Madrid 2-1 at Estadio El Sadar on February 21, 2026, with Ante Budimir converting a first-half penalty and Raúl García sealing a dramatic stoppage‑time victory after a VAR review. The result stunned the visitors, and it immediately reshaped the title race, leaving Real Madrid on 60 points with Barcelona poised to take advantage with a game in hand.

The match in brief

Osasuna took the lead late in the first half when Ante Budimir was awarded a penalty after VAR overruled an initial decision, the striker rolling the spot kick past Thibaut Courtois to make it 1-0. Real Madrid controlled large spells of possession in the second half, and Federico Valverde’s cross found Vinícius Júnior for a composed finish in the 73rd minute, levelling the score.

As Real pressed for a winner, Osasuna hit back in stoppage time. Raúl García finished a quick break into the far corner, the goal initially flagged offside before a second VAR check confirmed it stood, sparking wild celebrations around Pamplona.

"We lacked punch, teeth, and speed up front," said a frustrated Real Madrid coach, reflecting the mood in the away dressing room after a match full of fine margins.

Key facts and figures

• Scoreline: Osasuna 2, Real Madrid 1
• Date: 21 February 2026
• Venue: Estadio El Sadar, Pamplona
• Scorers: Ante Budimir (38' pen), Vinícius Júnior (73'), Raúl García (90')
• Attendance: approximately 22,480
• Impact: Real Madrid remain on 60 points, Barcelona have a game in hand and the chance to overtake the leaders.

Match statistics snapshot

These figures show Osasuna were efficient with their chances, and they matched Madrid’s intensity in the moments that mattered most.

Tactics and turning points

Osasuna

• Set up compactly, inviting Madrid to control the ball, then attacking quickly on the break.
• VAR decisions were decisive, first to award Budimir the penalty, then to validate García’s late goal.
• Physicality and pressing in the final minutes forced a turnover that led to the winner.

Real Madrid

• Dominant in possession, but porous when stretched, particularly on counterattacks.
• Created chances, including a disallowed Mbappé effort, and a quality equaliser through Vinícius.
• A late turnover and a defensive lapse cost them the match.

Players and performances

• Ante Budimir, composed from the spot, continued a strong scoring record against big opposition.
• Vinícius Júnior responded to a difficult week with a powerful, clinical finish to level the game.
• Raúl García produced the decisive moment, timing his run and finish perfectly under pressure.
• Osasuna goalkeeper and back line earned praise for key saves and interventions, while Real Madrid’s keeper made important stops but could not prevent the two goals.

VAR, controversy and context

VAR was central to the result, with two match‑defining interventions. The first awarded a penalty to Osasuna after video review showed contact by the goalkeeper, and the second confirmed Raúl García’s late strike after an initial offside flag. Those fine margins underline how technological review continues to shape results at the top level.

Broader implications

• For Osasuna, the win is a landmark result, a morale boost that could spark a late season push and consolidate confidence under their coach.
• For Real Madrid, the defeat ends a winning run in the league, it hands Barcelona an opportunity to reclaim top spot, and it raises questions about game management in the final minutes.

What managers will take from this

• Osasuna will emphasise the value of discipline, judicious pressing, and seizing VAR moments.
• Real Madrid must address turnover minimisation, concentration in added time, and ways to convert possession into decisive chances.

Multiple viewpoints

• Pundits and neutral analysts highlight Osasuna’s tactical discipline and efficiency, arguing the result is a reminder that possession alone does not win matches.
• Real Madrid supporters and some analysts point to luck, refereeing and VAR interventions as factors, while others accept the team produced moments of poor control and concentration.
• Club statements were measured, with both sides acknowledging the fine margins and the long season ahead.

Simple explanation of league points and effect

```python

LaLiga points system

if result == 'win': points += 3
elif result == 'draw': points += 1
else:
points += 0

Effect of the match

Real_Madrid_points = 60 # after the match
Barcelona_points = Real_Madrid_points - 2 # Barcelona have a game in hand

If Barcelona win their game in hand, they will move above Real Madrid

```

Final takeaways

Osasuna’s 2-1 win at El Sadar was a compact, high‑impact performance, where VAR decisions and late-game intensity decided a fixture that will be replayed in the season narrative. For Real Madrid, it is a wake-up call about protecting leads and managing ruptures in concentration, while for the title race, the door is left open for challengers. The result matters because it proves that a disciplined, well-executed game plan, combined with timely use of technology, can topple even the most dominant sides.

The match will be remembered for its drama, the VAR moments that swung the game, and a stoppage-time finish that underlined why football remains unpredictable and enthralling.