‘An apotheosis’: Osasuna rejoice at ending 15-year wait to topple Real Madrid | Sid Lowe

Guardian Sport

by Sid Lowe

February 23, 2026

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Osasuna celebrated a historic 2-1 victory against Real Madrid, ending a 15-year wait for a win over their arch-rivals. The match, held at El Sadar in Pamplona, saw Raúl García scoring a stunning 90th-minute winner, which was initially called offside but later upheld after a VAR review. This dramatic turn of events led to goalkeeper Sergio Herrera leaping into the stands, celebrating with fans and symbolizing the team's emotional triumph. The match was a rollercoaster for Osasuna, who trailed 1-0 at halftime. Despite Real Madrid's dominance in the first half, Osasuna fought back, with both goals coming in the second period. Kike Barca opened the scoring for Osasuna, and Raúl Asencio had given Madrid the lead before García's decisive strike. Osasuna entered the match amid relegation fears, having been inconsistent this season. This victory not only lifted them out of the relegation zone but also reignited their hopes of qualifying for European competition. The win was particularly significant as it marked their first victory over Real Madrid since 2007, ending a long-standing frustration. The match turned on its head in stoppage time whenVAR reversed an offside call, allowing García's goal to stand. This decision sparked wild celebrations among Osasuna players and fans, transforming the stadium into a sea of euphoria. The victory also highlighted the resilience of Osasuna's coach, Jagoba Arras

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Originally published on Guardian Sport on 2/23/2026