Injury-wracked Atlético took their chances in nervy game at Osasuna

PAMPLONA, SPAIN - MAY 12: Alexander Sorloth of Atletico de Madrid celebrates scoring his team's second goal with teammate Matteo Ruggeri during the LaLiga EA Sports match between CA Osasuna and Atletico de Madrid at Estadio El Sadar on May 12, 2026 in Pamplona, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images) | Getty Images Osasuna had more possession, shots, crosses and corners than Atlético Madrid, yet Atleti outperformed the Rojillos where it mattered most: on the scoresheet. The result feels harsh on Osasuna.

Their supporters will feel aggrieved over multiple refereeing decisions, and they looked far and away the more organized and dangerous side. But Simeone’s men did just enough to get by. Aside from Ademola Lookman’s 15th-minute penalty, it was a fairly dreadful first half of attacking football for Atlético.

So much so that goalkeeper Juan Musso ranked third in ball actions, second in passes attempted and fourth in accurate passes. Once Atleti were able to play their way out of the back and “ string four passes together ,” they still struggled to create anything meaningful, attempting just one dribble in the first half and failing to complete it. Just before halftime, debut referee José Luis Guzmán Mansilla initially awarded Osasuna a penalty and showed Musso a yellow card for what appeared to be a foul on Ante Budimir.

Thankfully for Atleti, VAR intervened and determined that Musso punched the ball first, and the penalty and yellow card decisions were reversed. Coming out of halftime, Atleti did little to progress until Marcos Llorente made his mark on the match in both brilliant — and costly — fashion, providing the assist for Alexander Sørloth’s eventual winning goal before being sent off with his second yellow card. Down to 10 men and without their most versatile player, Atleti continued to suffer when Kike Barja grabbed Osasuna’s lone goal in the dying moments.