What's been going on in LALIGA this past week? Here are 10 of the top stories, from Atleti's derby delight to Xavi and Balde's new contracts.
A fascinating Matchday 6 of the LALIGA EA SPORTS season is now in the books, with several storylines created along the way. Here's all you need to know.
Morata and Griezmann lead Atleti to derby delight
The first Madrid Derby of the season took place on Sunday night and Atlético de Madrid emerged with a 3-1 victory over Real Madrid at the Estadio Cívitas Metropolitano. All three of Los Rojiblancos' goals were headed goals from crosses, with Álvaro Morata producing two of them and Antoine Griezmann the other. The result puts Atleti right in the mix in the title race.
FC Barcelona go top of LALIGA EA SPORTS
Combined with the result of the Madrid Derby, FC Barcelona's 3-2 victory over RC Celta in Matchday 6 means the defending champions have moved to the top of the table. Xavi's side produced a remarkable comeback in the final 10 minutes against the Galician side, ultimately winning 3-2 thanks to a late brace from Robert Lewandowski and a dramatic winner from João Cancelo. That puts Barça on 16 points and on top of the standings.
Girona FC are a force to be reckoned with
In second place and level with FC Barcelona on 16 points are Girona FC, as the Catalan club won again in Matchday 6. This time Míchel's side overcame RCD Mallorca 5-3, participating in yet another thrilling game and scoring yet more goals. Having taken five wins and a draw to start the season, Girona FC are a clearly a force to be reckoned with.
UD Las Palmas' first LALIGA EA SPORTS win since 2018
At the sixth attempt, UD Las Palmas secured their first victory of the season, as a 92nd Kirian Rodríguez strike earned the islanders a 1-0 win against Granada CF on Sunday. That win, which was UD Las Palmas' first in the Spanish top tier since 2018, moves the newly promoted side out of the relegation zone.
Athletic Club continue their impressive run
Ernesto Valverde has got Athletic Club firing, with the Basque side having bounced back from their opening day defeat to Real Madrid by winning four and drawing one of their next five. On Friday night, they won away at Deportivo Alavés 2-0, something they hadn't managed in over two decades. Los Leones look unstoppable at the moment.
Nyland debuts with a clean sheet for Sevilla FC
One of Sevilla FC's summer signings, Ørjan Nyland, was given his debut when his side visited CA Osasuna for a Matchday 6 duel. The Norwegian goalkeeper played well and helped his team earn a point courtesy of a 0-0 draw.
Xavi extends his Barça contract until 2025
FC Barcelona and Xavi Hernández have reached an agreement for the tactician to extend his contract at the club until 2025, with the option for an additional year written into this new deal too. The former captain led the team to the 2022/23 LALIGA EA SPORTS championship and is developing a solid project at the Catalan club.
Alejandro Balde also renews at FC Barcelona, to 2028
Xavi's wasn't the only contract renewal at FC Barcelona this week, as 19-year-old left-back Alejandro Balde has also committed his future to the club by signing a new deal until 2028. The teenager is one of the best young players in all of world football, so FC Barcelona are delighted to have him for the next several years.
Champions League points for all five Spanish teams
The first round of the 2023/24 Champions League group stage took place in midweek. Spain has more clubs in the competition than any other country and all five of the LALIGA EA SPORTS sides started by taking at least one point. FC Barcelona thrashed Royal Antwerp 5-0, before Real Madrid defeated Union Berlin 1-0, while Atlético de Madrid drew 1-1 at Lazio, Sevilla FC earned a 1-1 result against Lens and Real Sociedad held last year's runners-up Inter to another 1-1 draw.
Time for the first midweek round of the 2023/24 LALIGA EA SPORTS season
The Matchday 6 action has barely finished, but it's already time for the clubs of Spain's top tier to look ahead to Matchday 7, which is the first midweek round of the campaign. There will be games across Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, so there's much more for fans of Spanish football to look forward to.
