Real Madrid dropped points for the first time in LaLiga this season after they were held to a 1-1 draw by ten-man Osasuna on Sunday evening.
Los Blancos made four changes to the side that beat Atletico Madrid before the FIFA break, as goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, Antonio Rudiger, Dani Ceballos and Karim Benzema were brought in.
The game took time to get going, with a couple of stoppages as Madrid only carved out the first chance on 17 minutes after Ferland Mendy guided a towering header wide from floated ball by Dani Carvajal.
Osasuna made it hard for Madrid to carve out opportunities but they were fortunate not to go behind just before the halftime break after Benzema curled a volley narrowly over the crossbar from a cross towards the far post by Vinicius Junior.
Los Blancos remained on the front foot and Vinicius eventually broke the deadlock moments later with a cross-cum shot that evaded everyone in the box, including goalkeeper Sergio Herrera and found the bottom corner.
Osasuna, however, had a perfect start in the second stanza, as they caught Madrid cold five minutes from the restart after Kike Garcia powered home a towering header from a cross by Unai Garcia.
Carlo Ancelotti required fresh legs in midfield straight after that, as Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga both replaced Aurelien Tchouameni and Ceballos.
Madrid struggled to find their rhythm going forward but threatened on 68 minutes after Carvajal's cross was spilled by Herrera but Unai Garcia made a timely clearance in front of goal, with Vinicius Junior and Benzema lurking.
Los Blancos had a lifeline 14 minutes before time after they were awarded a penalty for push from behind by David Garcia, who was red-carded, on Benzem. However, the Real striker could not restore the lead for Madrid after his spot-kick was parried over the crossbar by Herrera.
Los Blancos continued to pressurise Osasuna and Benzema thought he had made amends in the last nine minutes after he found the back of the net but the goal was disallowed for offside.
Madrid had the momentum in the dying minutes but Osasuna almost stole the maximum points after Moi Gomez unleashed a rocket from range that flashed just wide of the post.
The visitors managed to hold on in the end, as Los Blancos dropped points for the first time and could not retain top spot on the table, as Barcelona remained at the summit with a superior goal difference.
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