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.

 

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.

Vinicius drew Real level in the 73rd minute, days after he alleged he was racially abused during the Champions League victory over Benfica.

The Brazil forward had a quiet first half during which his side were fortunate not to concede more than once.

Thibaut Courtois produced a stunning one-handed save to deny Budimir from close range, before the Croatia forward hit the post with a header.

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.

The referee awarded a penalty after consulting the pitchside monitor and Budimir sent Courtois the wrong way.

The introduction of Trent Alexander-Arnold in the 64th minute seemed to turn the second half in Real's favour.

The England defender immediately created an opportunity for Vinicius with a cross-field pass, but the forward's goalbound effort was blocked.

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.

Osasuna substitute Garcia suffered the same fate in the 90th minute when he skipped past a challenge and finished brilliantly past Courtois from an acute angle, but the video assistant referee (VAR) concluded he was onside and the goal was given.

Osasuna's first league victory against Real since 2011 moves the Pamplona club up to ninth in the table.

Madrid remain two points clear of Barcelona having played one game more. Hansi Flick's side would go top with a home win against Levante on Sunday (15:15 GMT).

Player of the match

Number: 9Raúl García

 

·        Real Madrid

Number:9Raúl García

Average Rating:7.20

Number:41Íñigo Arguibide

Average Rating:6.80

Number:18Raúl Moro

Average Rating:6.80

Number:23Abel Bretones

Average Rating:6.00

Number:17A. Budimir

Average Rating:5.88

Number:8Iker Muñoz

Average Rating:5.83

Number:5Jorge Herrando

Average Rating:5.63

Number:7Jon Moncayola

Average Rating:5.63

Number:21Víctor Muñoz

Average Rating:5.63

Number:1Sergio Herrera

Average Rating:5.50

Number:6Lucas Torró

Average Rating:5.50

Number:10Aimar Oroz

Average Rating:5.50

Number:24Alejandro Catena

Average Rating:5.38

Number:14Rubén García

Average Rating:5.38

Number:20Javi Galán

Average Rating:5.33

Number:19V. Rosier

Average Rating:4.86

Average rating7.20

 

·        Real Madrid(active)

Number:15A. Güler

Average Rating:6.46

Number:6E. Camavinga

Average Rating:6.09

Number:8F. Valverde

Average Rating:6.00

Number:7Vinícius Júnior

Average Rating:5.27

Number:10K. Mbappé

Average Rating:5.19

Number:4D. Alaba

Average Rating:5.08

Number:1T. Courtois

Average Rating:5.00

Number:17Raúl Asencio

Average Rating:4.58

Number:2Dani Carvajal

Average Rating:4.54

Number:14A. Tchouaméni

Average Rating:4.42

Number:21Brahim Díaz

Average Rating:4.40

Number:16Gonzalo García

Average Rating:4.22

Number:18Álvaro Carreras

Average Rating:4.21

Number:12T. Alexander-Arnold

Average Rating:3.42

Number:19Dani Ceballos

Average Rating:3.25