Review Madrid – 22 March 2026

Madrid’s bullfighting season got underway this Sunday at Las Ventas with a strong turnout of more than fourteen thousand spectators. Expectations were high from the start, yet the course of the event was shaped by the uneven performance of the Cuadri bulls, which failed to meet the hopes placed upon them.

Within a difficult and largely unyielding contest, Damián Castaño delivered the most notable passages of the afternoon. The Salamanca matador found his best opportunity with the second bull, managing to impose himself through a performance marked by commitment and sincerity. Without concessions, he built a measured yet emotionally charged display, connecting with the crowd through composed and firmly executed muleta passes on both sides. However, his work with the sword prevented him from fully rounding off the performance, leaving him to acknowledge a warm ovation. The fifth bull, far more complicated, offered little scope for success.

Pepe Moral provided one of the most dramatic moments of the day by receiving the opening bull with a portagayola. The attempt turned perilous when he was violently knocked down, although the Sevillian recovered to deliver a determined effort against a difficult opponent. Despite his courage, the overall impact was limited by the lack of transmission from the bull.

Gómez del Pilar also struggled to find favourable conditions with his lot. His willingness was evident throughout, but the lack of response from the bulls hindered any attempt to shape a fully expressive performance. The afternoon unfolded between effort and adversity, highlighting the demanding nature of a corrida that tested the abilities of all three matadors.

In the end, the opening of the Las Ventas season underscored the resolve and determination of the participants, particularly Castaño, who — despite receiving little tangible reward — managed to spark moments of genuine emotion during the most intense phases of the event.