Review Madrid – 5 April 2026

Las Ventas once again embraced a solemn atmosphere on Easter Sunday, in an afternoon shaped from the outset by remembrance. Proceedings began with a minute’s silence in honour of Francisco Díaz, father of Curro Díaz, and matador Ricardo Ortiz, both recently deceased.

In this emotionally charged setting, Curro Díaz emerged as the central figure of the day. The Madrid crowd, aware of the personal circumstances surrounding the bullfighter from Linares, greeted him with a warm ovation even before the first bull entered the ring.

His most significant contribution came with the fourth bull, the only one in the corrida to offer real possibilities. From that moment, the Andalusian matador crafted a performance rooted in classical style, defined by composure, elegance and refined technique. Particularly on the right hand, he produced long, flowing muletazos full of harmony and control.

The faena gathered intensity as it progressed, with Curro Díaz showing commitment and firmness, especially as the bull began to lose momentum. His effective sword thrust sparked a strong reaction from the stands, leading to a well-earned lap of honour.

With his first bull, he had already offered glimpses of his artistry, leaving isolated but meaningful moments that connected with the audience, although without fully completing the performance.

Diego San Román, for his part, displayed willingness and a positive attitude throughout the afternoon. He showed some promising work with the cape, but his efforts with the muleta failed to gain traction due to a lack of cooperation from his bulls.

Rafa Serna also endured a difficult afternoon. His first offered little opportunity, while the fifth, although more mobile, did not allow him to settle into a convincing rhythm, resulting in a performance that failed to make an impact.

The bulls, from Martín Lorca and Carmen Valiente, proved uneven in behaviour, with only the fourth providing the conditions for success. The replacement bull fought in sixth place did not improve matters.

Although the afternoon ended without major trophies, it will be remembered for the emotional depth of Curro Díaz, who found in the Madrid arena a way to channel personal grief into artistic expression.