Osasuna ended a 15-year wait to beat Real Madrid with a dramatic 2-1 victory at El Sadar, sealed by a 90th-minute winner from Raúl García. The goal, initially ruled out for offside, was awarded after a VAR review, prompting goalkeeper Sergio Herrera to celebrate twice—first by leaping into the stands, then again after the decision was overturned.
Herrera, known for his exuberant style, made 91 saves this season, second only to Real Oviedo's Aarón Escandell. The goalkeeper, who grew up a fan of Iker Casillas and was nicknamed 'Canillas' (shins) as a child, embodies the passionate spirit of Osasuna. His post-match roar at the final whistle summed up the relief and joy of the night.
The last time Osasuna beat Real Madrid was in January 2011, when Javier Camuñas scored the only goal. That night, Álvaro Arbeloa played at left-back for Madrid; now he is their manager. 'I think I’ve only won once in all my visits to El Sadar,' Arbeloa said before the match, though his record was actually better. Nonetheless, he warned his team of the challenge.
The atmosphere was electric, with fans greeting Vinícius Jr with inflatable floats and armbands, chanting 'Oh, how scared I am to be from Madrid and play at El Sadar'. The win was only the third in 26 meetings for Osasuna, and they fully deserved it, with Herrera making crucial saves and the VAR finally rewarding their pressure.
