Madrid Review – 16 May 2026

The San Isidro Fair enjoyed another major atmosphere at Las Ventas with the fifth consecutive “Sold Out” crowd, although the La Quinta bulls once again tested the matadors in a corrida that offered very few easy opportunities.

Among the difficulties presented by the bulls, Manuel Diosleguarde stood out thanks to his attitude and personality. The young matador from Salamanca confirmed his alternativa in Madrid with a performance full of determination, commitment and courage. He became the central figure of the afternoon after delivering two meritorious faenas that connected strongly with the Las Ventas crowd.

From the very beginning of his first bull, the confirmation candidate showed clear intent. The bull carried transmission and danger at the end of each pass, especially when its charge lost height. Diosleguarde understood those complications well and produced his best moments on the left hand, guiding the embestida with composure, length and rhythm.

The faena gradually gained importance because of the sincerity of his approach and the exposure shown by the matador, who never lost his positioning or determination to dominate the animal. Failing with the sword at the first attempt reduced his chances of winning a trophy, although the crowd acknowledged his effort with a warm ovation.

Before facing the sixth bull, he also delivered an applauded chicuelina cape sequence that was well received by the Madrid spectators. Against the final bull of the evening, he once again showed commitment and bravery in front of a difficult animal that carried emotion in its charge but behaved very differently depending on the horn.

Diosleguarde produced his best passages on the right hand side, linking deep and commanding muletazos with authority. The left horn, however, offered far fewer possibilities and forced the matador to take extra precautions. The Salamanca-born bullfighter’s determination once again prevailed in a performance of genuine merit, although the sword work reduced the final impact. After half a sword thrust and several descabellos, he received another ovation.

The corrida offered little opportunity for El Cid and Álvaro Lorenzo to shine. Both matadors faced bulls lacking caste and continuity. Although each tried hard and often performed above the level of their respective lots, their efforts were met largely in silence due to the limited transmission of the bulls.

The La Quinta bulls, very serious in presentation and including several five-year-old animals, delivered mixed behaviour throughout the afternoon. Only the first and the demanding sixth showed greater interest in a corrida with very limited chances of triumph.

The afternoon also began with an emotional minute’s silence in memory of Joselito El Gallo, marking the anniversary of his death in Talavera de la Reina on 16 May 1920.