Osasuna handed Barcelona their first La Liga defeat of the season, triumphing 4-2 in a thrilling encounter at El Sadar.
The hosts drew first blood when Ante Budimir rose to meet a precise cross from Bryan Zaragoza, powering a header past Barcelona’s goalkeeper Inaki Pena. Zaragoza himself then doubled Osasuna’s advantage, showcasing individual brilliance as he darted through the Barcelona backline before calmly slotting home.
Barcelona sought to mount a comeback after the interval, finding a glimmer of hope when Pau Victor’s attempt ricocheted off Osasuna keeper Sergio Herrera and into the net. However, their revival was short-lived as Budimir converted from the penalty spot following a foul in the area, restoring Osasuna’s two-goal cushion.
The home side’s dominance continued as Abel Bretones unleashed a thunderous strike from outside the box, extending Osasuna’s lead to three. Barcelona’s young sensation Lamine Yamal managed to pull one back with a sublime finish, but it proved insufficient to alter the outcome.
This unexpected defeat halts Barcelona’s quest to equal their best-ever La Liga start and provides an opportunity for Real Madrid to narrow the gap at the summit. The defending champions face Atletico Madrid on Sunday with the chance to move within a single point of Barcelona should they secure a win.
For Osasuna, this triumph marks a significant milestone, ending a nine-game winless streak against Barcelona in the league. Their performance was characterized by attacking flair, defensive resolve, and clinical finishing, allowing them to overcome the Catalan giants.
Barcelona now shifts focus to their midweek Champions League fixture, hosting Young Boys on Tuesday as they aim to bounce back from their opening defeat against Monaco. This loss serves as a stark reminder that even the most formidable teams can falter, and Barcelona must regroup swiftly to maintain their title aspirations.
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