In a stunning upset at the WiZink Center, Real Madrid fell to Isla De Tenerife Canarias 107-95 on June 7, 2026, in a Liga ACB clash that reshaped the title race. The Canary Islands side produced a relentless offensive display, handing the Madrid giants their heaviest home defeat of the season and sending a clear message that they are legitimate contenders for the crown.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, Tenerife dictated the tempo, capitalizing on Real Madrid's uncharacteristic defensive lapses. The visitors shot an impressive 58% from the field and converted 14 three-pointers, while Madrid struggled to contain the interior presence of Giorgi Shermadini and the perimeter shooting of Marcelinho Huertas. By halftime, Tenerife had built a 12-point lead, and despite a furious third-quarter rally from Real Madrid, the hosts never regained control.

Key Moments

• First Quarter Burst: Tenerife opened with a 15-4 run, forcing an early timeout from Real Madrid coach Chus Mateo. Huertas orchestrated the offense with surgical precision, finding open shooters and exploiting mismatches.
• Real Madrid's Response: Led by Walter “Edy” Tavares and Dzanan Musa, Madrid cut the deficit to five points early in the third quarter. But each time they threatened, Tenerife answered—often through clutch three-pointers from Sasu Salin or Kyle Guy.
• Fourth Quarter Knockout: With eight minutes remaining, Tenerife went on a 14-2 run to push the lead to 20 points. Madrid’s tired legs showed as their three-point percentage dropped to 27% in the final period.

Tactical Story

Tenerife’s game plan revolved around spreading the floor and attacking Real Madrid’s drop coverage. Marcelinho Huertas, at 43 years old, played a masterful pick-and-roll game, drawing Tavares away from the rim and creating driving lanes. Meanwhile, Tenerife switched almost everything on defense, limiting Real Madrid's usual high-post offense. Madrid's reliance on isolation plays resulted in 18 turnovers, many leading to fast-break points for the visitors.

Standout Players

• Marcelinho Huertas (Tenerife): 18 points, 11 assists, 5 rebounds. The veteran point guard controlled the game’s pace and made crucial decisions under pressure.
• Giorgi Shermadini (Tenerife): 24 points on 10/12 shooting. The Georgian center dominated the paint, particularly when Tavares was on the bench.
• Dzanan Musa (Real Madrid): 28 points and 7 assists in a losing effort. The Bosnian guard kept Madrid afloat with aggressive drives to the basket.
• Walter Tavares (Real Madrid): 12 points, 14 rebounds, 3 blocks. Though impactful, he was outplayed by Shermadini in key stretches.

Standings & Season Impact

The victory moved Tenerife into a tie for second place in the Liga ACB standings, just one game behind league-leader Barcelona. For Real Madrid, the loss snapped a five-game winning streak and dropped them to third, two games back with only six regular-season games remaining. This result not only damages Real Madrid’s hopes for the top seed in the playoffs but also serves as a major confidence boost for a Tenerife side that has now swept the season series against the defending champions.

With the postseason looming, the Canarias have firmly established themselves as the most dangerous dark horse in the competition. Real Madrid, meanwhile, must quickly regroup before a critical road trip to face Baskonia and Valencia.