Unexpected blow! Real Madrid stumbles against Osasuna and Barça dreams of LaLiga (1-1)

LaLiga EA Sports 2024/25 is more open than ever. The Real Madrid visited El Sadar to face Osasuna in the match corresponding to matchday 24 of the championship, and, in addition to seeing Jude Bellingham sent off from the match, they suffered an unexpected stumble (1-1) that prevents them from gaining distance in the standings and puts their leadership in serious jeopardy.

The mediocre football of the Madrid team ultimately took its toll, as they were completely unable to find solutions to secure three points in a hostile context where only the brave can rise again. With this result, Ancelotti's team has 51 points, only three ahead of FC Barcelona (48), who could equal them if they achieve a victory in their visit to Vallecas on Monday.

A controversial first half for Madrid at El Sadar

The Madrid played the tensest first half of the season. The whites dominated the early minutes of the match in search of an early blow that would allow them to face the rest of the match with greater tranquility, and in the 3rd minute, Vinicius Jr. squandered one of the clearest opportunities of his career by missing a header in the small area with the goal practically empty.

The Madrid team maintained their dominance and finally broke down Sergio Herrera's goal in the 15th minute. Federico Valverde, a converted right-back, reached the byline and delivered a perfect low cross for Kylian Mbappé to open the scoring. Osasuna tried to respond, but their constant attempts were thwarted by a couple of crucial saves from Thibaut Courtois.

However, Jude Bellingham was the protagonist of the most notable event of the first 45 minutes. The Englishman, whose protests and insults towards referees and opponents have become a daily occurrence, saw the red card after apparently offending the referee during a protest following a play in the Osasuna area that the midfielder claimed was a foul.

Thus, Madrid was left with ten men and, despite being ahead on the scoreboard, went to the locker room with much to define against an Osasuna that promised to put up a fight in the second half.

Osasuna ignites LaLiga

Upon returning from the locker room, the Carlo Ancelotti-led team felt the absence of Bellingham and the hosts took advantage of their numerical superiority to approach Courtois' area and threaten with an equalizer, which would come 8 minutes into the second half.

After another save from the Belgian, Eduardo Camavinga committed a foul on Budimir inside the area and, after the VAR intervention, the referee awarded a penalty in favor of Vicente Moreno's team. The Croatian forward, who also punished FC Barcelona from the penalty spot, celebrated his twelfth goal of the season and leveled the score.

The Madrid team tried to take the lead again, but their lack of offensive solutions prevented them from securing the three points. Thus, the Madrid players remain with 51 points and give Barça (48) a golden opportunity to catch up with them in the standings and dream of lifting the league title at the end of the season.

Technical sheet of the match:

• Osasuna, 1: Sergio Herrera; Areso (Peña, min. 59), Herrando, Catena, Juan Cruz (Bretones, min. 59); Moncayola (Cameros, min. 79), Lucas Torró, Aimar Oroz; Rubén García, Budimir (García, min. 87), Bryan Zaragoza (Gómez, min. 79).
• Real Madrid, 1: Courtois; Valverde, Tchouameni, Asencio, F. García; Modric, Camavinga; Brahim Díaz (Rodrygo, min. 69), Bellingham, Vinicius; Mbappé.
• Goals: 0-1, Kylian Mbappé (min. 15).
• Referee: Munuera Montero. He cautioned the Osasuna players Areso, Oroz, and Cruz, and the Madrid player Camavinga. He also sent off Jude Bellingham.
• Stadium: El Sadar.