Vinicius Jr ended an emotional week with his fifth goal in four games, but was unable to prevent Real Madrid losing 2-1 to Osasuna and handing Barcelona the initiative in the La Liga title race. Real were looking to go five points clear, but a first-half Ante Budimir penalty and a late Raul Garcia strike condemned Alvaro Arbeloa to a first league defeat in six games as manager.
Days after claiming to have been subjected to racist taunts during Real Madrid’s Champions League triumph against Benfica, Vinicius tied the score in the 73rd minute. The Brazil forward had a quiet first half during which his side were fortunate not to concede more than once.
The Croatian forward hit the post with a header after Thibaut Courtois made an incredible one-handed stop to deny Budimir from close range. Referee Alejandro Quintero Gonzalez booked Budimir for simulation late in the first half, but replays showed Courtois stood on the striker’s foot as he rounded him.
Budimir sent Courtois in the wrong direction, and the referee, after examining the pitchside monitor, gave a penalty. The introduction of Trent Alexander-Arnold in the 64th minute seemed to turn the second half in Real’s favour. With a cross-field ball, the England defender gave Vinicius an early opportunity, but the forward’s attempt to score was stopped. Vinicius – whose every touch was whistled by the home fans – made amends minutes later when he converted from Federico Valverde’s low cross into the penalty area, his first away league goal in almost five months. Kylian Mbappe found the top corner from close range but was denied by the offside flag.
In the 90th minute, Garcia, a replacement for Osasuna, raced past a challenge and finished superbly past Courtois from an acute angle. Still, the visual assistant referee (VAR) determined he was onside and awarded the goal. Garcia suffered the same fate.
