Barcelona suffers first defeat in Spain, but their leadership remains secure

Barcelona’s first defeat of the season came at a challenging time, but their position at the top of La Liga remains secure despite the 4-2 loss to Osasuna.

The match in Pamplona, where the Catalan giants were expected to extend their unbeaten run, proved to be a tough outing. Osasuna, known for being a difficult team to beat at home, took full advantage of Barcelona’s defensive lapses, securing a statement victory that sent shockwaves through the league.

Ante Budimir, Osasuna’s Croatian striker, opened the scoring early in the 18th minute, tapping in after a well-placed cross from Bryan Zaragoza. Zaragoza, who was involved in most of Osasuna’s offensive actions, continued to cause problems for Barcelona’s defense and assisted again when he helped Osasuna double their lead in the 28th minute. The home side’s high energy and aggressive pressing put Barcelona on the back foot, making it difficult for the visitors to settle into their usual possession-based rhythm.

Barcelona, despite resting key players like Lamine Yamal and Raphinha in the first half, showed some signs of life in the second half. Pau Victor pulled a goal back for the Blaugrana in the 53rd minute, sparking hopes of a comeback. However, those hopes were dashed when Budimir added his second goal of the match from the penalty spot in the 72nd minute, extending Osasuna’s lead to 3-1. Abel Bretones further cemented Osasuna’s control with a late goal in the 85th minute, making it 4-1. Barcelona’s late response through Lamine Yamal in the 90th minute proved to be too little, too late, and the match ended 4-2 in favor of Osasuna.

Despite the loss, Barcelona’s lead at the top of La Liga remains intact, with 21 points from eight matches. Real Madrid, sitting four points behind, and Atlético Madrid, six points adrift, both have a game in hand, and their upcoming clash could further shape the title race. For Barcelona, the defeat may be a wake-up call as they prepare for their next challenge: a Champions League encounter with Benfica. Manager Xavi Hernández will be keen to refocus his squad ahead of the midweek European fixture and avoid further slip-ups in their domestic campaign.

Osasuna’s victory, meanwhile, propelled them up to fifth in the table with 14 points. Their impressive performance against Barcelona will be seen as a major confidence boost for a side that has often punched above its weight in La Liga. The win also signaled that they are capable of challenging for a European spot this season.

Elsewhere in La Liga, Real Sociedad enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 win over Valencia at home. Japanese midfielder Takefusa Kubo continued his fine form by opening the scoring early in the 8th minute. The match was then put beyond doubt with a late brace from Icelandic forward Orri Oskarsson, who found the net in the 80th and 90+2 minutes. The victory pushed Sociedad up to 12th place with eight points, while Valencia’s struggles deepened.

Valencia, a club with a rich history in Spanish football, are enduring one of their worst offensive starts in recent memory, having scored just five goals in their first eight games. With this latest defeat, they dropped into the relegation zone, now sitting in 18th place with just five points. Despite the late introduction of Portuguese players Thierry Correia and André Almeida, Valencia failed to mount a comeback, and their search for form continues.

In other action, Getafe secured their first win of the season with a 2-0 victory over Alavés. The win, courtesy of goals from Uruguayan Mauro Arambarri and Luis Milla (who scored from the penalty spot), allowed Getafe to climb out of the relegation zone and into 15th place with seven points. Alavés, despite the loss, remain in a respectable ninth place with 10 points, but they will need to regroup quickly if they are to continue their solid start to the season.

Finally, Rayo Vallecano, currently eighth in the standings, were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Leganés. It was Rayo’s third consecutive draw, leaving them frustrated as they look to break into the top six. Leganés, on the other hand, sit precariously above the relegation zone in 17th place and will be keen to secure more points to avoid being dragged into a survival battle.

As La Liga’s eighth round concludes, the drama and unpredictability of the season continue to unfold. While Barcelona’s defeat may raise eyebrows, their grip on the top spot remains strong—for now. The title race is heating up, and with Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid set to face off, the landscape at the top of the table could shift dramatically in the coming weeks.