Ten things we learned this week in LaLiga

What has been going on in LaLiga this past week? Here are 10 of the top stories, from Atlético de Madrid’s dramatic win to Isco’s return from injury.

It was a busy week of LaLiga action, with some midweek matches being followed by a matchday 16 that was packed full of goals. The main storylines from those games are discussed below, along with the rest of the week’s major Spanish football headlines.

Atlético de Madrid scored yet another late winner

Atlético de Madrid v Sevilla FC proved to be a thriller, with the capital city side coming back from being 3-1 down to win 4-3. Antoine Griezmann scored the winning goal in the 94th minute, which was the sixth match-winner Atleti have scored in the 90th minute or later this season in all competitions.

Jude Bellingham keeps on scoring

Jude Bellingham is in red-hot form, and has now scored in five LaLiga games in a row. After netting his team’s goal in a 2-1 loss away at Athletic Club in midweek, he then found the back of the net again on Saturday to help lead Real Madrid to a 3-0 victory away at Girona FC.

Assane Diao’s backheel denies FC Barcelona

Real Betis v FC Barcelona was always likely to be a fun game, and so it proved. Los Verdiblancos and Los Azulgranas played out a back-and-forth 2-2 draw, with Assane Diao equalising in stoppage time with a spectacular backheel goal. Although Barça thrashed RCD Mallorca 5-1 in midweek, this draw means they’re now just two points ahead of Real Madrid, having played one game more.

Isco returns from injury

Not only were Real Betis fans happy to earn a point against FC Barcelona, but they were also delighted to see Isco make his return from injury. The midfielder hadn’t played since May and required two surgeries to solve a fractured leg. On Saturday, he was substituted on to make his comeback and even given the captain’s armband.

Athletic Club take a major step towards the Champions League

Athletic Club have won four in a row in LaLiga, including wins over Real Madrid and Villarreal CF this past week. The Basque outfit are firmly in fourth place, and now have a six-point difference to fifth place.

Rayo Vallecano get back to winning ways

Following three defeats in a row, Rayo Vallecano desperately needed a positive result when they travelled east to visit Valencia CF on matchday 16, and they snapped that losing streak with a 1-0 victory. Pathé Ciss’ early goal proved to be enough for Los Franjirrojos to take all three points.

Sandro and UD Las Palmas remain in top form

Two goals from Sandro Ramírez earned UD Las Palmas yet another victory, as the Canary Islanders this time defeated Real Valladolid 2-1. They’ve now won five out of seven LaLiga matches since Diego Martínez took over, and are comfortably in mid-table.

Deportivo Alavés make a coaching change

There was another coaching change in LaLiga this week, as Deportivo Alavés moved on from Luis García Plaza and hired Eduardo Coudet. In the Argentinian tactician’s first league game in charge of the club, his team earned a 2-2 draw away at CA Osasuna.

Real Sociedad reach the European positions for the first time this season

Thanks to their 3-0 victory away at CD Leganés, Real Sociedad have risen to sixth place in the LaLiga standings. That means they’re now in the European positions for the first time in the 2024-25 season.

16 LaLiga teams reach the Copa del Rey Round of 32

There was more Copa del Rey action this past week, and a few LaLiga teams were eliminated against lower-league opposition. RCD Espanyol, Girona FC, Villarreal CF and Deportivo Alavés were knocked out, so there will be 16 top-tier teams in the draw for the Round of 32.