What has been going on in LALIGA this past week? Here are 10 of the top stories, from Barça’s big win to Oihan Sancet’s Player of the Month prize. With so many blockbuster fixtures, Matchday 26 was always likely to be a decisive one in the title race and so it proved, as Real Madrid dropped points away at Real Betis. That result and the week’s other headlines are discussed in more detail below.
Isco’s penalty leads Real Betis to victory over Real Madrid
One of the most intriguing Matchday 26 fixtures was Real Betis vs Real Madrid, and it finished in a 2-1 victory for the home team. It was former Real Madrid midfielder Isco who scored the decisive goal, with the 32-year-old scoring from the penalty spot. Los Verdiblancos have now won three games in a row, and have moved up to sixth.
Barça thrash Real Sociedad to pull clear at the top
FC Barcelona capitalised on Real Madrid’s defeat by beating Real Sociedad 4-0 at the Estadi Olímpic. That result means Barça have pulled away from Los Blancos, with the Catalan club now sitting in first place in the standings on 57 points, while Atlético de Madrid are second on 55 and Real Madrid third on 54.
Julián Álvarez is Atlético de Madrid’s hero once again
Atlético de Madrid were able to move on to 55 points thanks to Julián Álvarez, who came off the bench to score the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Athletic Club. That was the Argentinian forward’s 21st goal this term across all competitions, in what is his first season at the club.
Sadiq’s brilliance rescues a point for Valencia CF
Valencia CF remain inside the relegation zone, but they’re now level on 24 points with 17th-placed UD Las Palmas. That’s thanks to the spectacular backheel goal scored by Umar Sadiq in the final moments of Valencia CF’s game against CA Osasuna, which finished as a 3-3 draw.
Diego García wins the derby for CD Leganés
In the south of Madrid, the focus was on the derby between CD Leganés and Getafe CF on Sunday. And, it was Lega who claimed the victory and the bragging rights, as a stoppage time Diego García goal earned them a 1-0 win. It’s the first time Los Pepineros have defeated their rivals at home in LALIGA EA SPORTS.
Dodi Lukebakio saves Sevilla FC in Vallecas
Rayo Vallecano and Sevilla FC each scored a wonder goal in a 1-1 draw in Vallecas. After Andrei Rațiu found the top corner from distance early in the second half, Sevilla FC managed to rescue a point thanks to a thunderous Dodi Lukebakio strike in the final 10 minutes.
It’s all to play for in the second legs of the Copa del Rey semi-finals
The first legs of the Copa del Rey semi-finals also took place this past week, and both ties are still very much alive. FC Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid played out a thrilling 4-4 draw in their first leg, so they’ll begin the second leg in the capital on level terms. Meanwhile, Real Madrid earned a narrow 1-0 victory away at Real Sociedad, but Imanol Alguacil’s side will believe they can turn it around at the Bernabéu.
Oihan Sancet is the February Player of the Month
For the first time in his career, Oihan Sancet has been named the LALIGA EA SPORTS Player of the Month. The Athletic Club midfielder earned the honour after putting together a brilliant February, in which he scored six goals in four games.
The rest of February’s LALIGA AWARDS winners
The other February winners of the ‘LALIGA AWARDS, The Pride of our Fútbol’ were revealed this past week. FC Barcelona’s Hansi Flick won the prize for the Best Coach, while Barça’s teenage star Lamine Yamal won the Best U-23 Player. Then, the Best Goal was scored by Real Betis’ Romain Perraud vs Athletic Club and the Best Save was made by RCD Espanyol’s Joan García when he denied Real Sociedad’s Luka Sučić.
Contract renewals at Valencia CF and Rayo Vallecano
A pair of contract extensions were announced this past week, with Yarek Gasiorowski renewing at Valencia CF until 2027 and with Rayo Vallecano’s Iván Balliu extending his deal in Vallecas, also until 2027.
