Pasapalabra contestants await the arrival of a new boat and, above all, the moment to learn who will purchase it. For now, the intense rivalry between Moisés and Óscar keeps the suspense alive as they push to reach the top prize. In this show, the Rosco is always within reach for both players, so either one could seize the coveted prize on any given afternoon. The post-Rafa and Orestes era has left a crowded field where a small detail can swing the outcome. This is exactly what happened in the latest duel between Moisés and Óscar on El Rosco. The Madrid player started fast on the first lap but was unexpectedly slowed by a timeout, a moment that reshaped his plan and gave his rival renewed momentum. It appears the balance of power may be shifting as Óscar climbed to 23 correct letters for the second day in a row.
Óscar defeats Moisés on a tight Rosco and what followed on the show
The contest was closely matched, with Moisés holding a slight edge. The largest lead seen on the scoreboard was 19-12, but Óscar closed the gap dramatically in the next round. The tension rose as the minutes ticked by, until a surprising miss changed the course of events.
The moment came when Moisés quickly hit the letter Z and reacted almost instantly with a misstep. He blurted out the word “Skunk,” and the host, Roberto Leal, interrupted with a firm “no.” The moment exposed a lapse in concentration, and Moisés later admitted he had briefly considered the letter F. He pressed on, reaching 21 correct letters before deciding to stop and reflect.
That misstep allowed Óscar to capitalize on a relatively easy stretch and move ahead by a comfortable margin. He finished with 23 correct letters, advancing confidently toward the day’s top prize of €982,000 and confirming his status as the afternoon’s winner.
Moisés makes history on Pasapalabra after 82 programs: a long road and a big moment
Rafa’s memory
Many fans still recall the dramatic exchanges that defined the show’s peak moments. His duels with Orestes are etched in memory, drawing a huge audience and a lasting affection for the format. After Sevillan’s triumph, the show sought opponents who could evoke Orestes and Rafa, finding in Óscar and Moisés promising successors who could carry the legacy forward.
Pasapalabra eyes a record today: only three contestants have achieved this
With Rafa’s legacy still fresh in viewers’ minds, insiders are curious how such a victory would be experienced from the inside. The script chief Borja Pérez spoke on a Cadena Ser program and described the day as highly memorable. He noted that recording the moment again was a rare treat and that the entire team will remember it for years. Borja has written for Pasapalabra for over a decade and stresses that while every win brings emotion, Rafa’s Rosco was a once-in-a-lifetime moment given its record pot and the rivalry with Orestes.
He added that the winning round included words that posed a real challenge. While perfect accuracy on all 25 words is reserved for the very best, contestants often manage 17 or 18 correct as a home challenge, offering a glimpse into how the show tests vocabulary under pressure.
[Citation: Pasapalabra broadcast notes and interviews]