Madrid Review – 15 may 2026

The San Isidro Fair once again delivered a highly anticipated afternoon at Las Ventas. With the fourth consecutive “sold out” crowd of the feria, Madrid witnessed an intense bullfight in which Fernando Adrián confirmed his status as one of the leading names of the season by securing yet another Puerta Grande.

The Madrid matador showed determination, ambition and a strong connection with the crowd throughout both of his performances against the bulls from El Torero. His intentions became clear with the third bull of the afternoon. He welcomed the animal elegantly with the cape before producing a composed and well-structured muleta performance based mainly on the right hand. The bull showed energy and movement, although it lacked full submission, something Adrián handled intelligently by giving the animal space and maintaining the rhythm of the series. He ended the faena with tight and risky bernadinas before delivering an effective sword thrust that earned him the first ear of the afternoon.

The Puerta Grande was fully secured with the sixth bull, a more demanding and less straightforward opponent that required authority and composure. Fernando Adrián focused his work on the left hand, producing long and deep natural passes in a performance full of commitment and exposure.
The closing stages, with the matador standing dangerously close between the horns, brought the already enthusiastic crowd fully to life. After a successful kill, he was awarded another ear, confirming his fourth Puerta Grande triumph at Las Ventas.

The final part of the corrida also included tense moments when banderillero Curro Javier suffered a heavy goring during the sixth bull. Fortunately, the incident resulted only in several wounds to the lower back and was not considered serious.

One of the most heroic moments of the afternoon came from Fortes. The Málaga matador was injured by the second bull after suffering two violent tosses. Despite being taken to the infirmary for treatment to a goring on his right leg, he returned to the ring to face the fifth bull.

It was there that he produced the most artistic moments of his performance. Especially strong on the left hand, Fortes delivered expressive and stylish natural passes full of personality and elegance. The faena gradually built intensity and connected deeply with the Madrid crowd. Following an effective sword thrust, he was awarded an ear of considerable merit given the physical condition in which he fought.

Meanwhile, Diego Urdiales once again displayed his trademark purity and classical style. His best moments came against the fourth bull, which he handled with softness and refinement through isolated but deeply felt natural passes. The matador from La Rioja lost any chance of a trophy with his first bull but received a warm ovation after another excellent kill in the fourth.

The El Torero bulls offered mixed performances throughout the afternoon. Some showed movement and emotion, while others lacked brilliance, although overall they allowed moments of quality from a committed trio during another major day of the San Isidro Fair.