Osasuna vs Real Madrid: Raul Garcia's late strike hands Barcelona title boost despite Vinicius's emotional goal

Osasuna secured their first victory against Real Madrid since 2011, thanks to a late strike from Raul Garcia. clinched a 2-1 victory.

Ante Budimir gave Osasuna the lead in the first-half to send El Sadar rocking, but Vinicius drew level in the second half, an emotional strike against the backdrop of the alleged racism he suffered midweek. With the game seemingly headed for a draw, Garcia released a brilliant strike to secure a famous victory for the hosts.

By ending Real Madrid's 21-game unbeaten run in this feature, Alessio Lisci's side have handed a major title boost to Barcelona, with Hansi Flick's side now able to return to the LALIGA summit should they beat Osasuna tomorrow.

The hosts struck first in the 38th minute after a VAR review awarded a penalty when Thibaut Courtois was adjudged to have fouled Ante Budimir in the box. Budimir stepped up with confidence and calmly converted from the spot, sending Courtois the wrong way to make it 1–0. 

Real Madrid responded in the 73rd minute when Federico Valverde surged forward and delivered a low cross into the box. Vinícius Júnior reacted fastest, guiding a close-range finish into the net to level the score at 1–1 and reignite Madrid’s hopes of a comeback.

As the game approached its closing stages, Madrid pushed hard for a winner, but a costly loss of possession in their own half allowed Raúl García del Haro to latch onto a counter-attack. García sat down his marker before lifting the ball beyond Courtois, securing a dramatic 2–1 win for Osasuna and sending the home supporters into raptures.