In a shocking turn of events, La Liga leaders Barcelona were handed their first loss of the season by Osasuna in a 4-2 defeat. The Catalans, who had won all seven of their previous matches, were outplayed by a relentless Osasuna side led by Ante Budimir's brace and a stunning goal from Abel Bretones. The loss comes as a setback for Barcelona, who had the opportunity to match their best start to a league campaign with eight consecutive wins.
Barcelona's Unbeaten Start Ends in Shock Defeat to Osasuna
In an unexpected turn of events, FC Barcelona suffered their first defeat of the La Liga season, losing 4-2 to Osasuna on Sunday. The loss derails Barcelona's perfect start to the campaign and raises questions about their title aspirations.
Background
Barcelona entered the match as heavy favorites, having won all seven of their previous league matches. The Catalan giants were also riding a wave of momentum following their 4-0 victory over Athletic Club in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Osasuna, on the other hand, entered the match with a mixed record of three wins, three draws, and three losses. However, the Pamplona-based club had shown signs of improvement in recent weeks, including a 2-1 victory over Valencia.
Match Summary
Osasuna took the lead in the 21st minute through Ante Budimir, who capitalized on a defensive error by Barcelona to fire past Marc-Andre ter Stegen. The Catalans managed to equalize just before halftime through Ansu Fati, but their joy was short-lived as Budimir restored Osasuna's lead in the second half.
The visitors extended their advantage further thanks to a stunning goal from Abel Bretones and a header from Kike Garcia. Barcelona pulled one back through Pedri, but it was too little too late as Osasuna held on for a famous victory.
Reaction
Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez was left frustrated by his team's performance, admitting that they were "completely dominated" by Osasuna.
"We didn't play well at all. We made a lot of mistakes and Osasuna deserved to win," Hernandez said.
Osasuna coach Jagoba Arrasate hailed his team's "unbelievable performance" and praised their determination and belief.
"We knew we could do it. We played with a lot of heart and we got our reward," Arrasate said.
FAQs
1. What was Barcelona's previous best start to a La Liga campaign?
8 consecutive wins in the 2017-18 season.
2. Who scored Osasuna's winning goal?
Kike Garcia
3. Who was the man of the match?
Ante Budimir
4. How did Barcelona react to the defeat?
They were disappointed and frustrated, but vowed to bounce back.
5. What are Barcelona's prospects for winning the La Liga title?
The loss leaves Barcelona three points behind leaders Real Madrid, but they still have a good chance of winning the title if they can improve their form and consistency.
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