Vinicius Jr
Strikes Again but Real Madrid Slip in Title Race After Shock Osasuna Defeat

Madrid, 22 Feb
2026 (ONA) — Vinicius Jr capped an emotionally charged week with his fifth
goal in four games, but his 73rd-minute strike proved insufficient as Real
Madrid fell 2-1 to Osasuna, handing Barcelona the upper hand in the La Liga
title race.

Real arrived
in Pamplona knowing victory would open a five-point lead at the summit.
Instead, Alvaro Arbeloa suffered his first league defeat in six matches at the
helm, courtesy of a first-half penalty from Ante Budimir and a late winner from
substitute Raul Garcia.

The Brazil
forward, who recently alleged he was subjected to racial abuse during Real’s
Champions League triumph over Benfica, produced a quiet first half in which his
side were fortunate to trail by just a single goal.

Thibaut
Courtois produced a stunning one-handed save to deny Budimir from close range
before the Croatian striker rattled the post with a header. Referee Alejandro
Quintero Gonzalez initially booked Budimir for simulation late in the first
half, but replays showed Courtois had stood on the striker’s foot as he rounded
the keeper. After consulting the VAR, the official pointed to the spot, and
Budimir sent Courtois the wrong way.

The
introduction of Trent Alexander-Arnold just past the hour mark shifted momentum
in Madrid’s favour. The England international immediately carved open the
Osasuna defence with a raking cross-field pass to Vinicius, whose goalbound
effort was blocked.

Vinicius—jeered
by the home crowd with every touch—made amends minutes later, slotting home
from Federico Valverde’s low cross into the box to register his first away
league goal in nearly five months. Kylian Mbappe thought he had completed the
turnaround when he fired into the top corner from close range, but the offside
flag cut short his celebrations.

Deep into
stoppage time, Osasuna substitute Garcia appeared to suffer the same fate when
he danced past a challenge and finished brilliantly past Courtois from a tight
angle. However, the video assistant referee intervened to confirm he was
onside, sparking wild celebrations in Pamplona.

The
victory—Osasuna’s first league win over Real since 2011—propels the Pamplona
side to ninth in the standings.

Madrid remain two points clear of Barcelona
but have now played one game more. Hansi Flick’s side can leapfrog the reigning
champions with a home victory against Levante tonight.

— Ends/Khalid