In one of the most shocking results of the 2024-25 LaLiga season, Osasuna produced a thrilling 4-2 victory over Barcelona at the El Sadar Stadium. Hansi Flick, Barcelona’s new manager, saw his winning streak come to a grinding halt, as his heavily rotated side failed to withstand the pressure. Despite a brief glimpse of hope in the second half, the Catalan giants were overpowered by an Osasuna side that showed grit, determination, and clinical finishing.
First Half Horror for Barcelona
The evening started with Barcelona looking confident, but it was Osasuna who seized control early on. By the 18th minute, they had taken the lead when Ante Budimir outjumped Pau Cubarsi to nod home a powerful header into the top corner. The defense, particularly the inexperienced Cubarsi, seemed caught off guard by Budimir’s physicality.
It went from bad to worse before the half-hour mark. Osasuna’s Bryan Zaragoza added a second after a brilliant counterattack. Barcelona’s midfield was dispossessed, and a perfectly weighted through ball found Zaragoza, who easily outpaced Sergi Dominguez and Jules Kounde to slot it past Marc-André ter Stegen. Barcelona’s defense was nowhere to be found, leaving their goalkeeper exposed and furious.
A Flick of Hope in the Second Half
At halftime, Barcelona resisted the urge to make immediate changes, a decision that seemed questionable as the team had been outplayed and outmuscled throughout the first half. However, it was Pau Victor who momentarily gave Barcelona hope in the 53rd minute. A speculative long-range shot caught Osasuna’s goalkeeper Sergio Herrera off guard, who inexplicably failed to handle the ball, allowing it to roll into the net. It wasn’t a moment of brilliance but rather an uncharacteristic mistake by Herrera.
The scoreline now read 2-1, and Barcelona fans briefly dreamed of a comeback. But the joy was short-lived. Just as the momentum appeared to shift, disaster struck.
Osasuna Hit Back with a Penalty
Osasuna refused to sit back and defend their slim lead. They continued attacking Barcelona’s shaky defense, and in the 67th minute, Dominguez clumsily brought down Budimir in the box. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Budimir stepped up confidently, sent Ter Stegen the wrong way, and made it 3-1 to Osasuna.
Despite Barcelona’s best efforts, the gap was now too wide. Hansi Flick introduced Raphinha and the teenage sensation Lamine Yamal in an attempt to salvage the game, but their impact was limited.
A Screamer from Bretones Seals the Deal
With just five minutes left on the clock, Osasuna put the final nail in Barcelona’s coffin. Abel Bretones, who had been a thorn in Barcelona’s side all evening, picked up the ball 25 yards from goal and unleashed a thunderous shot that flew into the top corner. It was the kind of strike that players dream of, and it completely deflated Barcelona.
Now trailing 4-1, Barcelona were staring at an embarrassing defeat. However, in the dying moments of the game, Lamine Yamal, the 17-year-old rising star, produced a moment of magic. From outside the box, he curled in a consolation goal to make it 4-2, sparing Barcelona some blushes but doing little to affect the outcome.
Player Ratings
Marc-André ter Stegen – 5/10: Couldn’t do much about the goals, though his frustration with the defense was visible.
Sergi Dominguez – 4/10: Gave away a crucial penalty and struggled to contain Osasuna’s attackers throughout the match.
Pau Cubarsi – 3/10: Completely outplayed by Budimir, looked shaky from the start.
Jules Kounde – 5/10: Failed to assert himself in defense and was often caught out of position.
Sergi Roberto – 5/10: Provided little going forward and was often bypassed in midfield.
Frenkie de Jong – 6/10: Tried to orchestrate play but couldn’t control the midfield against Osasuna’s high press.
Pedri – 6/10: Showed moments of brilliance but was overrun by Osasuna’s energetic midfield.
Pau Victor – 6/10: Scored a goal thanks to a goalkeeping error but failed to influence the game otherwise.
Robert Lewandowski – 5/10: Hardly had any chances and was isolated for most of the match.
Raphinha (Substitute) – 6/10: Added some energy off the bench but too late to make an impact.
Lamine Yamal (Substitute) – 7/10: His consolation goal was one of the few bright spots for Barcelona.
FAQs
The final score was 4-2 in favor of Osasuna.
Ante Budimir scored twice, Bryan Zaragoza added one, and Abel Bretones scored a stunning fourth goal.
Barcelona managed to score twice, once through Pau Victor and a late consolation from Lamine Yamal, but couldn’t mount a full comeback.
Barcelona’s defense struggled, and Hansi Flick’s decision to rotate the squad proved costly. They were outplayed and couldn’t handle Osasuna’s attacking pressure.
Barcelona will need to regroup quickly as they continue their LaLiga campaign, with tougher fixtures on the horizon.
Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for Barcelona
Hansi Flick’s decision to rotate the squad backfired spectacularly, as Barcelona looked disjointed and vulnerable against an Osasuna side that took full advantage of their chances. While Barcelona remains in contention for the LaLiga title, this defeat serves as a reminder that the team still has work to do in terms of depth and consistency.
Osasuna, on the other hand, will celebrate this famous victory for years to come. Their performance was a masterclass in how to take the game to one of the giants of Spanish football.
For Barcelona, this game will be a learning experience. They will need to bounce back quickly if they want to avoid further slip-ups in what is shaping up to be a highly competitive LaLiga season.
