Vinicius Junior scores but Real Madrid dealt late defeat at Osasuna as Alvaro Arbeloa seeks improvements - 'We can play much better'

Vinicius Junior scored his first away La Liga goal since September, but it was not enough to prevent Real Madrid handing the initiative back to Barcelona courtesy of a shock 2-1 defeat at Osasuna. Raul Garcia struck a stunning 90th-minute winner - initially ruled out for offside - to hand Osasuna their first home victory against Madrid in 15 years. Barcelona host Levante on Sunday at Camp Nou.

Vinicius Junior was on target, but Real Madrid slipped to a 2-1 defeat at Osasuna in their first outing since the alleged racist abuse directed at the Brazilian during the UEFA Champions League win over Benfica.

Ante Budimir’s first-half penalty put the hosts ahead before Vinicius levelled in the 73rd minute, turning home Federico Valverde's low cross for his first away league goal since late September.

Having been jeered throughout by Osasuna fans, Vinicius celebrated by pointing to the name on the back of his shirt and gesturing emphatically to the turf.

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But Madrid were defeated in the 90th minute when Raul Garcia cut past Raul Asencio and Trent Alexander-Arnold before beating Thibaut Courtois, as Madrid missed the chance to go five points clear at the top of La Liga.

The goal was initially ruled out for offside but awarded following a VAR review, securing Osasuna’s first home win against Madrid in 15 years.

Head coach Alvaro Arbeloa did not disguise his frustration after his first La Liga defeat since taking charge last month. "It wasn't a good game for us," Arbeloa said in his post-match news conference.

Osasuna secured their first home victory over Real Madrid in 15 years

Image credit: Getty Images

"We can do a lot more, we can play much better. It isn't easy to do it in midweek and then a Saturday, but those are the demands, this is Real Madrid. We knew how difficult it would be to come here."

Reflecting on the performance, he added: "Nobody wants to lose, of course. But it will be a long season. There's a lot left. In the first half we had quite a lot of control, but we lacked speed in our game, we have to move the ball much more quickly.

"We have to keep working, we have to open teams up on the wings. We're playing a lot down the left, but we have to do it on the other side too, otherwise we're too easy to defend."

On the late winner, Arbeloa suggested there may have been an infringement in the build-up.

Vinicius hauled Real Madrid level but he could not prevent defeat

Image credit: Getty Images

"From the little I have seen, there could have been a foul in the action before [the goal]," he continued. "Two very fair offsides have also been against us.

"It was a first half where we had control but we lacked speed. Against any low block, you have to move the ball faster. On Wednesday we have another game and we have to face it in the best way.

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"I hope the defeat doesn’t mean anything because we risk our lives again in four days. A team shows its strength in difficulties. What cannot come are doubts. I believe in my team. We need to maintain the demand over time. We will continue to work, insist and get the best out of each player, because we need them all."

Arbeloa also addressed the fitness of Kylian Mbappe, who continues to manage a knee issue, before Wednesday's second leg against Benfica, which will be live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

"He rested last weekend, he did not play against Real Sociedad, who are not just any team. When we think he is not in a condition to play, we are not going to take risks.

"It’s something I don’t decide alone, I do it with the doctors. He looked ready to play and, as I say, he didn’t play against Real Sociedad."

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