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September 29, 2024

Osasuna 4-2 Barcelona: Barca Suffer First Defeat of the Season as Perfect Start Ends

Barcelona’s perfect start to the La Liga season came to a crashing halt after a 4-2 loss to Osasuna at Estadio El Sadar. Before this match, Barcelona had won all seven opening league games, but they couldn’t extend the run to eight, as Vicente Moreno’s Osasuna handed them a humbling defeat. Despite the setback, Barcelona is still leading the table with 21 points, four points ahead of Real Madrid, with a game in hand.

Osasuna’s Ante Budimir was the night’s hero, scoring twice as Barcelona struggled to find a rhythm. Budimir and Bryan Zaragoza gave the home side a 2-0 lead by halftime, leaving Barcelona chasing the game. Pau Victor pulled one back for the visitors early in the second half, but Budimir restored the two-goal cushion with a penalty in the 72nd minute. Abel Bretones sealed the win with a stunning long-range effort, while Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal scored a late consolation goal.

Barcelona, managed by Hansi Flick, made several critical changes to their lineup, leaving Raphinha and Yamal on the bench, a decision that may have cost them. Next up for Barcelona is a UEFA Champions League tie against BSC Young Boys.

Match Summary:

Osasuna started strong, pressing Barcelona high up the pitch. Their aggressive play paid off in the 18th minute when Bryan Zaragoza’s pinpoint cross found Budimir, who headed in the opening goal. Zaragoza doubled the lead ten minutes after breaking Barcelona’s offside trap and rounding goalkeeper Iñaki Peña to slot the ball home.

Barcelona briefly clawed their way back into the contest in the 53rd minute, thanks to a mistake by Osasuna’s goalkeeper Sergio Herrera, which allowed Pau Victor to score from distance. However, hopes of a comeback were dashed when a clumsy challenge by Sergi Dominguez on Budimir led to a penalty, which the Osasuna striker coolly converted.

Substitute Abel Bretones added a fourth for Osasuna with a long-range shot in the 85th minute. Yamal, who came off the bench, showed his quality with a decisive goal from distance in the 89th minute, but it was too late to change the outcome.

Talking Point: Barcelona’s Winning Run Ends

Given their lengthy injury list and Hansi Flick’s squad rotation, Barcelona’s defeat felt inevitable. The absence of Raphinha and Yamal in the starting lineup affected their attacking potency, leaving Robert Lewandowski isolated and feeding off scraps. Despite this, Osasuna fully deserved their win, executing their game plan perfectly and consistently putting the league leaders on the back foot.

Player of the Match: Ante Budimir (Osasuna)

While several Osasuna players impressed, including Bryan Zaragoza and goalkeeper Sergio Herrera, Budimir was the standout performer. His two goals, including a well-taken penalty, gave Barcelona’s defense a torrid time all night.

Player Ratings:

• Osasuna: Herrera 7, Areso 7, Catena 7, Boyomo 7, Cruz 7, Ibanez 7, Torro 7, Oroz 7, R. Garcia 7, Budimir 8, Zaragoza 8

• Subs: Pena 7, Raul Garcia 7, Herrando 7, Bretones 8, Mirralles 7

• Barcelona: Peña 6, Kounde 5, Dominguez 3, Cubarsi 4, Martin 4, Torre 6, Garcia 4, Pedri 4, Torres 5, Lewandowski 5, Victor 5

• Subs: Raphinha 5, Yamal 7, Balde 5, Casado 5, Fort 5

Key Moments:

• 18′ GOAL! Osasuna 1-0 Barcelona (Budimir): Zaragoza’s cross finds Budimir, who heads Osasuna into the lead.

• 28′ GOAL! Osasuna 2-0 Barcelona (Zaragoza): Zaragoza beats the offside trap, rounds the keeper, and doubles the advantage.

• 53′ GOAL! Osasuna 2-1 Barcelona (Victor): Pau Victor capitalizes on Herrera’s mistake in pulling one back for Barca.

• 72′ GOAL! Osasuna 3-1 Barcelona (Budimir, Penalty): Budimir scores his second from the spot after Dominguez fouling him.

• 85′ GOAL! Osasuna 4-1 Barcelona (Bretones): Bretones scores a stunning long-range strike to secure the win.

• 89′ GOAL! Osasuna 4-2 Barcelona (Yamal): Yamal fires a powerful shot past Herrera for a late consolation.

Osasuna’s deserved win moves them up to sixth place, while Barcelona will look to regroup ahead of their next fixture.