La Liga leaders Real Madrid dropped two points in a 1-1 draw at Osasuna on Saturday, with Jude Bellingham receiving a red card.
The Spanish champions took the lead through Kylian Mbappe, but Bellingham was sent off for dissent just before the break.
Osasuna equalized in the 58th minute with Ante Budimir converting a penalty, as Carlo Ancelotti’s side faced their third straight league match without a win.
Atletico Madrid, in second place just two points behind Real Madrid, are set to face Celta Vigo later on Saturday, while third-placed Barcelona will host Rayo Vallecano on Monday.
Bellingham clarified after the match that he was expressing his frustration and did not intend to insult the referee.
“It’s difficult when a referee isn’t sure, to determine that I’ve said something that I haven’t, and as a result it kind of hinders the team,” Bellingham told reporters.
“I think you can see clearly in the video, I remember the incident very well, it was an expression to myself.
“I’m not even directing myself towards the referee, but obviously there was a misunderstanding. He’s believed that I’ve said (something insulting) to him…
“There was no intent to insult him, there was no insult, and for that reason I think you can see there was a misunderstanding.”
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said he was happy with how Madrid played despite dropping points.
“In a footballing sense we started very well, and we finished well despite having one less player,” said Ancelotti.
The Italian made a few rotations with the midweek Champions League play-off second leg clash against Manchester City in mind, with Rodrygo resting and Brahim Diaz given a rare start.
Los Blancos controlled the game from the off, moving the ball around too quickly for Osasuna to get a foothold.
Vinicius appealed for an early penalty when Alejandro Catena slid in to dispossess him and the ball struck the defender’s arm.
The Brazilian winger should have put the champions ahead when Mbappe crossed for him, but misjudged the flight of the ball and headed wide from close range.
Madrid did not have to wait long for their opener and Fede Valverde created it with a low cross for Mbappe, who produced a clinical finish.
It was the in-form French forward’s seventh goal in his last five La Liga matches.
Osasuna threatened just once in the first half, with a low drive from Aimar Oroz, which Thibaut Courtois superbly pushed to safety.
– Bellingham blow –
Vinicius spurned another golden opportunity when Mbappe teed him up, before Bellingham was dismissed in the 39th minute.
The England international exchanged words with referee Jose Munuera Montero, who then reached for his red card.
Ancelotti said Bellingham should not have been dismissed.
“I think with Bellingham’s red card (the referee) didn’t understand the English well… I don’t think it’s something offensive,” Ancelotti told reporters.
“I think the red card came out because the referee was nervous… Bellingham did nothing today to have been sent off, absolutely nothing.”
Real Madrid have voiced strong complaints about Spanish refereeing in recent weeks, calling it “rigged,” and their frustrations grew further with referee Munuera Montero in the second half.
Osasuna equalized before the hour mark through Ante Budimir’s penalty, awarded after Eduardo Camavinga fouled the Croatian striker late.
Budimir had earlier shot wide, but Camavinga’s challenge mirrored the penalty conceded by Aurelien Tchouameni in last weekend’s derby draw with Atletico Madrid.
Budimir’s penalty was his 13th goal of the season, ranking him just behind Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski and Kylian Mbappe, both on 17 goals.
Mbappe nearly scored a second, but his shot sailed narrowly over the bar, while Vinicius Junior’s effort was deflected wide after a dangerous run down the left.
Despite being a man down, Madrid continued to push for a winner, fully aware that their title rivals were closing in.
Mbappe had a final opportunity in stoppage time, but Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera denied him with a strong save.
Having played nearly an hour with 10 men, Madrid will be hoping it takes its toll on them when they face Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.
