Jude Bellingham was sent off in a 1-1 tie against Osasuna on Saturday, and La Liga officials Real Madrid forfeited two points.
Kylian Mbappe led the Spanish champions ahead of the referee dismissing England international Bellingham for apparent dissension at the end of the first half. After 58 minutes, Ante Budimir levelled for hosts Osasuna from the penalty spot as Carlo Ancelotti’s team suffered a third straight league game without triumph.
Second and two points behind the leaders, Atletico Madrid hosts Celta Vigo later Saturday; third-place Barcelona welcomes Rayo Vallecano on Monday. With Rodrygo rested and Brahim Diaz given an unusual start, Ancelotti made a few turns with the midweek Champions League play-off second leg showdown against Manchester City in mind.
From the start, Real Madrid dominated the game, moving the ball too fast for Osasuna to get a footing.
When Alejandro Catena slid in to dismiss Vinicius, the ball struck his arm and he begged for an early penalty. When Mbappe crossed for him, the Brazilian winger ought to have put the champs ahead, but he mistook the ball’s flight and headed wide from close range.
Madrid did not have to wait long for their opener; Fede Valverde created it with a low cross for Mbappe, who made a perfect finish. During his last five La Liga games, the in-form French forward scored seven goals.
Just once in the first half, Osasuna threatened with low drive from Aimar Oroz, which Thibaut Courtois brilliantly pushed to safety.
When Mbappe teed him up, Vinicius turned away still another wonderful chance before Jude Bellingham was kicked in the 39th minute. The England international spoke with Jose Munuera Montero, the referee, who then grabbed his red card.
Madrid had strong complaints about Spanish refereeing in recent weeks, calling it “rigged,” and they became even more irate with Munuera Montero in the second half. After Eduardo Camavinga was late on the Croatian striker, Osasuna leveled before the hour mark with Budimir.
Like the penalty Aurelien Tchouameni surrendered in Madrid’s Derby draw last weekend, Budimir had already struck wide of the post when the French midfielder clattered into the forward. Behind only Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski and Mbappe, on 17, in the standings, Budimir’s penalty ranked 13th overall for the season.
Mbappe almost scored a second, but he fired just slightly over. Vinicius had an effort deflected wide following a risky left incursion. Knowing their title opponents are breathing down their necks, Real Madrid pressed for a victory despite their numerical deficit.
In stoppage time Mbappe had one last chance; Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera palmed away his shot with a strong hand. Following over an hour of play with ten men, Manchester City will hope it affects Madrid on Wednesday when the sides square up at the Santiago Bernabeu.
