Osasuna returned to winning ways in LaLiga as Ante Budimir’s fourth successful penalty of the season helped secure a 2-0 home victory over Racing Santander at El Sadar.
The result ended Osasuna’s six-match winless run and marked Jagoba Arrasate’s return to the stadium. They began with greater intensity and immediately put Racing under pressure in Pamplona.
Jonathan Dubasin appeared to give the hosts the lead when he reacted quickest to a corner that Racing had failed to clear, stabbing the ball in from barely a yard. However, the goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR review.
Osasuna’s advantage arrived soon afterwards. Jeanuel Belocian brought down Budimir inside the Racing penalty area after nine minutes, and the Croatian made no mistake from the spot, rolling his finish beyond the goalkeeper for his seventh goal of the campaign.
The pace of the match eased after the opener, allowing Racing to settle and see more of the ball. Jose Lopez’s side were unable to turn that possession into a clear opportunity before half-time, with Aitor Fernandez not required to make a significant save.
Osasuna resumed control after the break and continued to search for a second goal. Budimir came close when he struck the side netting from a narrow angle, but the hosts’ failure to add to their lead gave Racing hope of claiming something from the match.
Racing remained short of threat in the final third. Sergio Canales did force Fernandez into a routine save from 25 yards shortly after the hour mark, but it was one of the visitors’ few efforts to trouble Osasuna’s goal.
The home side finally secured the points in the 88th minute. Julen Agirrezabala kept out Inigo Arguibide’s drive, but Asier Osambela was first to the rebound and smashed in his first goal of the campaign.
The victory lifts Osasuna to ninth place in LaLiga. Racing Santander stay 16th, while their winless sequence has now reached four matches, consisting of two draws and two defeats.
Julen Agirrezabala was named Flashscore Man of the Match for Racing Santander.
