Leganes and Osasuna share points in 1-1 La Liga draw
Late Dani Raba penalty rescues a point for Leganes after Jorge Herrando’s opener for Osasuna.
By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini
Leganes and Osasuna share points in a closely contested 1-1 draw at the Estadio Municipal de Butarque in week 30 of the Spanish League. The match saw both teams finding the net in the second half, with Jorge Herrando scoring for the visitors and Dani Raba equalizing from the penalty spot late in the game.
The result reflects the evenly matched nature of the contest, where both sides had chances but ultimately had to settle for a draw. While Osasuna maintained slightly more control in the first half, Leganes responded well and were rewarded for their persistence near the end of the game.
A slow first half with limited breakthrough
The opening 45 minutes were marked by cautious play and well-organized defenses. Neither side managed to create clear-cut chances consistently, though Osasuna did enjoy more possession and dictated much of the tempo. Jon Moncayola and Lucas Torró tried to orchestrate plays from midfield, but Leganes remained disciplined and compact.
Leganes captain Sergio Gonzalez nearly changed the narrative late in the first half. Rising high to meet a curling free-kick delivery, he directed a powerful header towards the bottom corner. However, Osasuna keeper Sergio Herrera showed sharp reflexes, diving to his right to deny the goal and keep the score level heading into the break.
It was in the second half that the game came to life. Osasuna, who had been threatening through set pieces, finally broke the deadlock in the 49th minute. Jon Moncayola swung in a well-placed corner from the left. Alejandro Catena flicked the ball at the near post, and it landed perfectly for Jorge Herrando, who nodded it into the net for his first goal in La Liga.
The visitors erupted in celebration, and it seemed like Osasuna might run away with the three points. Their high pressing caused problems for Leganes, especially in midfield, where possession often slipped away under pressure.
Croatian striker Ante Budimir came close to doubling the lead. After being played through by Rubén GarcÃa, he found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic. The Serbian shot-stopper stood his ground and blocked Budimir's close-range effort with his legs, keeping Leganes within touching distance.
As the minutes ticked down, Leganes grew more urgent in attack. They introduced fresh legs and upped the tempo, especially down the flanks, where Dani Raba and Allan Nyom looked to stretch the Osasuna defense.
The equalizer finally arrived in the 87th minute. Captain Sergio Gonzalez, again a driving force, surged into the penalty area, cutting past two defenders before being brought down by Nacho Vidal. The referee did not hesitate to point to the spot, and VAR confirmed the contact.
Dani Raba stepped up with composure and slotted the ball into the bottom left corner, sending Sergio Herrera the wrong way. The Leganes faithful erupted in cheers as the scoreboard changed to 1-1.
It was a well-deserved goal for the home side, who had refused to back down despite Osasuna’s earlier dominance.
While Leganes and Osasuna share points, the result leaves both sides with mixed emotions. For Leganes, rescuing a draw at home reflects resilience and fighting spirit. The single point keeps them in 15th place in La Liga, holding onto hopes of finishing in the mid-table zone.
On the other hand, Osasuna will likely be disappointed not to have held on after taking the lead. With 35 points from 30 matches, they remain in 13th place but could have climbed higher with a win. Manager Jagoba Arrasate was seen urging his players to stay focused after the equalizer, clearly aware that their defensive lapse late in the game cost them dearly.
A game of moments, not dominance
This match will not be remembered for spectacular play, but for how crucial moments shaped the outcome. Jorge Herrando’s first-ever top-flight goal looked to have sealed a valuable away win for Osasuna. However, Dani Raba’s cool finish from the spot ensured that Leganes would not end the night empty-handed.
Marko Dmitrovic’s performance deserves special mention. The Serbian goalkeeper was solid throughout the game, denying Budimir and commanding his box with confidence. His saves kept Leganes within reach and allowed them to capitalize when the chance came.
Leganes now prepare for their next fixture with renewed belief, aiming to convert their fighting spirit into victories. Their defense showed improvement, and if they can add a sharper edge in attack, they’ll be better positioned to climb out of the lower tier.
Osasuna, meanwhile, will need to address their inability to maintain leads. Despite their tactical discipline and organized pressing, they’ve now dropped points in several matches after taking the lead. Jagoba Arrasate may look to rotate the squad and find more consistency in the closing weeks of the season.
Both clubs know that every point matters as La Liga enters its decisive final stretch. And while Leganes and Osasuna share points this time, their ambitions for the rest of the season remain far from settled.
In the end, the 1-1 draw at Estadio Municipal de Butarque was a fair result in a match where neither team did enough to claim all three points outright. The late drama gave fans something to cheer about, and the shared spoils leave both sides looking ahead with cautious optimism.
Leganes and Osasuna share points, but more importantly, they showed that in La Liga, even mid-table clashes can be packed with tension, emotion, and moments of brilliance.