Barcelona on goal difference leader after Real Madrid slipped in La Liga | Football

Real coach Carlo Ancelotti had Karim Benzema back from injury and immediately drafted the French striker. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was missing from the Madrid team and was replaced by Ukrainian Andrei Loenin. With the attacking trio Rodrygo, Benzema and Vinícius Júnior, it was a long wait for the opening goal of Real, which had won the first six league matches. Just before half time, Vinicius extended a long cross from David Alaba with the head to the right corner, untenable for goalkeeper Sergio Herrera.

Osasuna produced the equalizer.

Ⓒ ANP/HH

Benzema had some chances in the second half, but was not accurate. Suddenly it was 1-1. Kike Garcia headed the ball perfectly into the top left corner and knocked out Loenin. A few minutes later, Garcia even scored the second goal after a good return from Moi Gómez, but he shot left wide.

What followed was a rush from Real, with opportunities for Rodrygo and Benzema. The Frenchman was awarded a penalty in the 79th minute. Initially, the referee saw nothing in it, but after the insistence of the VAR, he still pointed to the dot. He also sent David Garcia off the field. Benzema shot the ball hard over the crossbar. He also missed two penalties against Herrera last season. The striker seemed to make up for his mistake moments later, but that goal was canceled due to offside. Osasuna held on and just like last season booked a hard-fought draw in Madrid.