Osasuna end Barcelona’s unbeaten run in six-goal thriller

Osasuna end Barcelona’s unbeaten run in six-goal thriller

Osasuna had an incredible evening to remember as they defeated Barcelona 4-2 in La Liga, with Bryan Zaragoza’s first-half goal and assist combo helping the Rojillos emphatically end a run of five winless head-to-heads against the Blaugrana.

Los Rojillos showed plenty of early intent, especially with balls behind Barcelona’s youthful backline, although the visitors initially stood firm with Eric García flying out to block a Zaragoza strike.

Ante Budimir then made a burst up the pitch on the quarter-hour mark before smashing an attempt that fizzed agonisingly wide of the far post.

The Croatian opened the scoring soon after, as Bryan worked some space from Jules Koundé and delivered an inviting cross that Budimir reached ahead of Pau Cubarsí and clinically headed home.

Osasuna were relentless and caused another scare, as Iñaki Peña rushed out of his box and could only clear to Rubén García, whose attempt hit Budimir. Peña was left helpless on the floor moments later, as Bryan latched onto Pablo Ibáñez’s perfectly-weighted through ball and audaciously rolled it around the goalkeeper before scoring.

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Barcelona regained some semblance of control, but were unable to find Robert Lewandowski with their balls into the box, and Koundé came closest seconds before the break with a header that hit the crossbar.

Barça finally got Lewandowski more into the game after the restart, but the striker hit a free-kick agonisingly wide and he was then denied by Sergio Herrera. The goalkeeper gifted the visitors a way back into proceedings moments later, though, throwing the ball straight to Gerard Martín before failing to stop Pau Víctor’s shot as he stumbled back.

Lamine Yamal and Raphinha were introduced with Osasuna pinned back just before the hour mark, although the hosts fought back and Budimir came close, before Ferran Torres ghosted through but was denied by Herrera.

Budimir then regained his side’s buffer, winning a penalty from Sergi Domínguez that he sent out of Peña’s reach. An outstanding evening was then capped off with an equally impressive strike from Abel Bretones in the 85th minute.

Even though Yamal responded with an exquisite goal of his own, Osasuna earned a fourth consecutive victory at El Sadar in a single La Liga campaign for the first time since March 2008. That achievement is made even more special as they defeated a Barcelona side who previously had a perfect record in the league this term.

Osasuna end Barcelona’s unbeaten run in six-goal thriller