Budimir's 200th Osasuna appearance marked with 80th goal in five-goal thriller
Croatian marksman Ante Budimir reached a double milestone as Osasuna edged past Oviedo in a dramatic 3-2 victory at El Sadar that had everything.
Milestone man Budimir stole the show in Pamplona as his 80th goal for Osasuna coincided with his 200th appearance for the club in a proper barnstormer against Oviedo.
Five-goal thriller at El Sadar
What a proper game of football this turned out to be! El Sadar was absolutely buzzing on Saturday as the home side and Oviedo served up a treat with more twists and turns than the Northern Line.
With Jon Moncayola the only significant absentee, Alessio Lisci’s men were looking to bounce back after their recent disappointments - a league defeat at Girona and cup elimination by Real Sociedad. And bounce back they did, though not without giving the home faithful a proper scare or two.
The visitors struck first through Federico Viñas, the Uruguayan powering home a sublime header from Hassan’s cross five minutes before half-time. But Budimir wasn’t about to let his special day be spoiled, responding with a header of his own just before the break, delicately guiding Javi Galán’s cross into the net.
Croatian milestone maker
The second half started with Osasuna showing more intensity than in previous outings, with Budimir rattling the crossbar with another header. But against the run of play, Alberto Reina restored Oviedo’s lead in the 71st minute, capitalizing on some sleepy defending.
At this point, alarm bells were ringing around El Sadar. Enter Budimir again. The Croatian striker was in the right place at the right time to convert after Rubén García’s cross was flicked on by Boyomo. It was his 80th goal in Osasuna colours - not half bad for a player who only scored his first for the club against Atlético Madrid back in October 2020.
With both teams pushing for a winner, it was Víctor Muñoz who settled matters in stoppage time, rifling an unstoppable right-footed effort into the top corner past the helpless Aarón Escandell.
Seven years in Spain
“I realized today marks seven years since I arrived in Spain,” Budimir told DAZN post-match. “My first game was actually against Osasuna when I was at Mallorca. Now I’m here and very happy.”
His manager Lisci was full of praise, simply stating “Budi is Budi” before highlighting the striker’s natural goalscoring ability.
The 34-year-old will have another chance to add to his impressive tally when Osasuna visit Rayo Vallecano in six days’ time. With his scoring touch still razor sharp as he approaches his 35th birthday, Budimir remains Osasuna’s main man - and on this form, he’ll be giving Croatia a proper option at the upcoming World Cup too.