Real Madrid surrendered the leadership of La Liga to Barcelona after being held to a 1-1 draw at home by Osasuna on Sunday evening. Karim Benzema was back in the starting 11, while Andriy Lunin replaced Thibaut Courtois in goal after the Belgian had to drop out with a back injury.Madrid took the lead with a stroke of fortune and a dose of controversy in the 42nd minute when Vinicius Jr’s cross went in at the far post. Osasuna players claimed offside as VAR rejected the visitors’ appeals.
Kike Garcia’s second-half header gave Osasuna a deserved equalizer but Madrid should have won when they were given a 78th-minute penalty after David Garcia’s push on Benzema, reports Xinhua.Benzema sent the spot kick against the bar and Osasuna clung on bravely until the end to take a point and end Madrid’s 100 percent start to the season.Real Betis suffered their second defeat of the season when they lost 1-0 away to Celta Vigo, who took all three points after Gabri Veiga’s excellent ninth-minute shot from outside of area.Betis’ options were severely reduced after 20 minutes when Luis Felipe was sent off for a professional foul.Valencia saved a point in the 96th minute after Espanyol keeper Alvaro Fernandez made a huge error to allow Eray Comert’s speculative lob to loop into the net.Gabriel Paulista’s header had put Valencia ahead, before excellent goals from Joselu and Sergi Darder seemed as if they would give Espanyol only their second win of the campaign.
