Key Highlights
- Real Madrid faces a challenging match against Osasuna in LaLiga.
- Mbappé and Vinicius both score goals for their respective teams.
- Budimir scores the winning penalty for Osasuna, giving them victory at El Sadar.
- Arbeloa’s team struggles to recover from a deficit during the first half.
The Battle of El Sadar: Real Madrid Struggles Against Osasuna
Osasuna – Real Madrid today, in direct live coverage of LaLiga EA Sports. The match takes place at 18:30h on February 21st, 2026, in the Sadar stadium.
Key Moments and Analysis
The first half was a tactical battle with both teams showing their prowess. Real Madrid’s Vinicius and Mbappé looked sharp early, but Osasuna’s defense held firm until the 71st minute when they scored through a penalty kick by Budimir.
Osasuna’s aim to upset the league leaders paid off as Budimir’s goal gave them a 1-0 lead. However, the match was not without controversy, with Real Madrid arguing for a potential handball that the referee did not see.
The VAR eventually corrected the referee’s decision and awarded the penalty.
Real Madrid fought back with Vinicius scoring an equalizer in the 82nd minute. Despite their efforts, Arbeloa’s team struggled to find an opening against Osasuna’s solid defense until the end of the first half.
The Second Half: A Fight for Survival
As the second half began, Real Madrid continued their push but faced a resolute Osasuna. The home side maintained their defensive strategy and nearly doubled their lead through Budimir, who hit the post in the 78th minute.
The key moment came when Mbappé was fouled in the box, and Arbeloa’s team had to face another penalty call. This time, the penalty was awarded, and Osasuna sealed the victory as Budimir stepped up to score from the spot.
Arbeloa’s Tactical Challenges
Alvaro Arbeloa faced a tough challenge in his first game at El Sadar. The tactics of Osasuna’s coach Lisci were well-executed, keeping Real Madrid on their toes throughout the match. Despite Valverde and Vinicius’s individual brilliance, they could not break down a disciplined Osasuna defense.
The result is a stark reminder that winning in LaLiga requires more than just star power. Arbeloa will need to adapt his strategy quickly if he hopes to maintain Real Madrid’s lead over their rivals.
