La Liga frontrunners Real Madrid suffer late 2-1 loss to Osasuna

A stunning 90th-minute goal from Raul Garcia handed La Liga leaders Real Madrid a 2-1 defeat against Osasuna on Saturday, dealing a significant setback to their championship aspirations.

Title holders Barcelona, who are two points adrift, have the opportunity to leapfrog Madrid on Sunday by defeating Levante at the Camp Nou.

Under Alvaro Arbeloa, Madrid delivered a substandard display in Pamplona, conceding the opener via an Ante Budimir spot-kick before Vinicius Junior restored parity for the away side.

The upcoming second leg of Madrid's Champions League qualifier versus Jose Mourinho's Benfica on Wednesday appeared to distract them, as they struggled to push forward at El Sadar.

Vinicius, fresh from netting a brilliant strike in the first leg that secured a narrow advantage for Madrid despite facing reported racial abuse, believed he had salvaged a draw until Garcia rifled in the decisive blow.

"Our performance was far from impressive... we need to raise our game considerably," Arbeloa commented to the press.

"No one enjoys defeat, especially not us, yet we remain resilient. The season still has plenty of twists ahead.

"We dominated certain phases but lacked pace in our attacks... come Wednesday, we face another crucial encounter, yet another must-win match."

Croatian striker Budimir nearly opened the scoring early, curling a shot just past the far upright of Real Madrid custodian Thibaut Courtois, marking the start of numerous threats he posed to the away team.

The Belgian keeper pulled off a superb stop moments later, denying Budimir a header from Ruben Garcia's delivery amid pressure from Alvaro Carreras.

Budimir also struck the woodwork with another header, as Osasuna shone brightly, their triumph elevating them to ninth in the standings.

Madrid's David Alaba went close soon after, with Alejandro Catena deflecting his effort, just before the home side forged ahead.

Budimir surged into the penalty area and tumbled following contact from Courtois. Initially cautioned for simulation, a VAR check revealed the keeper had trodden on his foot.

The experienced striker converted the penalty personally, deceiving Courtois to put Osasuna in front.

"I was certain it was a foul and aimed to compose myself during the review," Budimir explained.

In the second period, Osasuna dropped back at intervals, aiming to repel the 15-time European kings Madrid.

Arda Guler nearly scored with a fierce drive that sailed marginally high.

In pursuit of a leveller, Arbeloa introduced attacking talents Trent Alexander-Arnold and Brahim Diaz, allowing his squad to seize momentum.

France's Kylian Mbappe found the net for Osasuna's goalie but was ruled offside, though the equalising moment arrived shortly thereafter.

Fede Valverde powered into the danger zone, shrugging off Osasuna's backline, before whipping in a cross for Vinicius to finish neatly.

This marked the Brazilian's fifth strike in his past four outings across competitions, coinciding with his peak form since Arbeloa took over from Xabi Alonso in January.

Missed opportunity

Mbappe, the league's leading marksman, ought to have edged Madrid ahead with 10 minutes remaining, but Javi Galan thwarted him with a fine block.

Alexander-Arnold's free-kick bent astray as time ebbed away, suggesting Madrid might settle for a point, only for it to slip further.

Raul Garcia evaded the lunging Raul Asencio with skill and slotted beyond Courtois into the far corner.

The forward's joy was briefly halted by an offside call, but VAR confirmed he was level, validating the strike.

This victory ended a 15-year La Liga drought for Osasuna over Madrid.

"The sensation is unbelievable... it's astonishing to consider. Our supporters merited such a triumph after all this time," Raul Garcia shared with DAZN.

"Spotting (Asencio) approach, I anticipated his slide, then kept my cool to round him and net the goal."

Fifth-placed Real Betis drew 1-1 with Rayo Vallecano at home earlier that day, keeping them three points shy of fourth-positioned Atletico Madrid.

Diego Simeone's team welcome Espanyol later, seeking redemption following their 3-0 loss to Rayo the previous weekend.