Real Madrid’s perfect start to the LaLiga Santander season is over after Carlo Ancelotti’s men were held to a 1-1 draw by Osasuna on Sunday.
Los Blancos entered the match a perfect seven for seven so far in league play, and with Karim Benzema back in the fold after an injury layoff, all signs pointed to another three points at home.
However, the Frenchman’s return was ruined by a late penalty miss after Vinicius and Kike Garcia got their names on the scoresheet.
The first real chance fell to Benzema after 38 minutes. Vinicius found the French striker after a great run, but he sent his volley inches wide of the mark.
Minutes later Real Madrid took the lead in fortuitous fashion.
Vinicius fired a rather tame cross in from the left that seemed to catch Sergio Herrera off guard.
By the time the Osasuna goalkeeper could react it was too late, and the ball found its way into the far bottom corner.
Osasuna didn’t let the setback ruin their afternoon and found an equalizer just six minutes after the restart.
Kike got his head onto Unai Garcia’s fantastic cross, with the ball looping over Andriy Lunin and into the back of the net.
It was very nearly 2-1 for the away side minutes later when Moi Gomez made his way down the right.
His cut back pass found Kike again, but his first-time strike whistled just wide of the far post.
Benzema penalty
Osasuna’s hopes of leaving the Bernabeu were dealt a serious blow in the 75th minute when David Garcia took down Benzema in the penalty area.
While the referee initially waved play on, the penalty was eventually given following a VAR review, with Garcia shown a red as well.
Benzema stepped up from the spot, however his powerful strike clipped the crossbar and went behind, as Osasuna held on to claim a point.
It’s a costly result for Real Madrid, who now sit level on 19 points with rivals Barcelona atop the LaLiga standings.
