Murcian matador Antonio Puerta missed a prime victory opportunity during his confirmation of alternative at Las Ventas bullring in Madrid on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
The main event of the annual Virgin of Paloma festival saw six bulls from the Araúz de Robles ranch averaging 603 kilograms. Puerta saluted the crowd after a slight petition for an ear on his first bull, while fellow matadors Javier Cortés and José Garrido were met with silence across all four of their performances.
Puerta entered the ring with 11 seasons of experience as a matador. In Spanish bullfighting, a confirmation of alternative is a formal ceremony required for any matador to gain official status at Las Ventas, the nation's premier bullring, after qualifying elsewhere.
His confirmation bull presented ideal conditions. The animal charged greedily at the picador's horse during the opening tercio de varas phase and maintained a low, committed charge into the red muleta cape. Puerta delivered stylish verónica cape passes and neat muleta passes, showing better form on the right horn than the left. However, after failing to kill the bull on his first attempt, he received only an ovation and a slight ear petition instead of a trophy, while the bull was applauded as it was dragged from the ring.
On the final bull of the evening, Puerta struggled against an opponent with weak charges. He cut his performance short after attempting to work the bull without strong conviction.
Struggles for Javier Cortés and José Garrido
Madrilenian matador Javier Cortés faced two difficult bulls and left both without applause. On his first bull, which was noble but quickly lost stamina, Cortés pushed hard during a demanding opening muleta sequence that further drained the animal's energy before it turned defensive.
Cortés found no opportunities on his second bull, the fourth of the afternoon. The animal proved harsh and uncooperative during a long and uninspired piking stage.
Extremaduran matador José Garrido showed initial promise with his first bull, the third of the day. Garrido opened with a series of tight, passionate verónica cape passes followed by a powerful muleta start bending low to the ground. However, his performance faded due to tense cape work and repeated snags on the fabric.
Garrido earned merit on his second bull through a firm effort against an uncooperative opponent that raised its head and disengaged after each initial charge. Despite his brave stance, Garrido struggled with the sword at the kill and received silence.
Official score and bullring statistics
The bullfight drew 7,701 spectators to Las Ventas, filling approximately one-third of the stadium capacity, according to the organizing company. The six Araúz de Robles bulls showed uneven presentation and varied behavior throughout the afternoon.
The final record for the Virgin of Paloma festive bullfight recorded silence on both bulls for Javier Cortés, silence on both bulls for José Garrido, and salutes following a slight ear petition alongside a silence for Antonio Puerta.
