Review Madrid – 31 May 2026

Sunday’s San Isidro Fair produced one of its most intense and emotional afternoons with the traditional Adolfo Martín corrida. Antonio Ferrera was carried out through the Puerta Grande at Las Ventas after a performance full of personality, commitment and moments of inspiration against a demanding and varied group of bulls.

The afternoon, however, was inevitably overshadowed by the serious goring suffered by Paco Ureña during the sixth bull of the corrida, an incident that shocked the packed Madrid crowd in another sold-out event.

Ferrera built his triumph through two very different performances, both strongly connecting with the spectators. The fourth bull from Adolfo Martín was the standout animal of the afternoon, showing quality, rhythm and depth in its charge. It allowed the Extremaduran matador to express his most artistic and personal style.

Ferrera produced smooth and elegant natural passes, drawing long and beautifully tempered muletazos that quickly won over the Madrid crowd. There were also powerful moments on the right hand, with relaxed and expressive bullfighting in a faena that steadily gathered intensity.

Although he needed a second attempt with the sword, the strength of the performance and his total commitment throughout the fight earned him the first ear of the afternoon.

Ferrera’s defining moment arrived with the sixth bull, which he had to kill after Paco Ureña was injured. From the beginning, he approached the bull with complete determination and emotion. He even climbed onto the picador’s horse before performing an energetic chicuelina quite that brought much of the crowd to its feet.

With the muleta, he delivered a performance based on total commitment against a noble but demanding bull that offered nothing easily. Ferrera managed to combine emotion and purity in a faena full of improvisation and feeling, highly celebrated by the Madrid spectators.

His sword thrust once again came from a long distance away, in the distinctive style that characterises the matador, and after a descabello the crowd strongly called for the trophy that opened the Puerta Grande of Madrid for him.

The most dramatic moment of the corrida involved Paco Ureña. The Murcian matador had earlier produced a serious and courageous performance against his first bull, one of the difficult and dangerous “Adolfos”. He received a warm ovation after a display of firmness and bravery.

However, during the sixth bull he suffered a serious goring that forced his immediate transfer to the infirmary. Ureña left the ring to the concern of the crowd and a heartfelt ovation from the spectators.

Meanwhile, Manuel Escribano once again showed determination and willingness against a very difficult lot, although without clear opportunities for success. The Sevillian matador was met with silence after both efforts against reserved and demanding bulls.

The Adolfo Martín corrida once again tested the matadors at Las Ventas with bulls full of fighting spirit, demanding behaviour and very different characteristics. The fourth bull stood out above the rest and proved decisive in Ferrera’s final triumph.

Madrid ultimately surrendered to the Extremaduran matador after an afternoon filled with strong emotion, authentic bullfighting and high drama in the ring.