The highlights of LaLiga EA Sports in 2024: A month-by-month recap of the year

 As 2024 comes to a close, there have been several standout moments in La Liga EA Sports. It was a year of firsts for some players and clubs, and of yet more glorious moments for others. Here comes a month-by-month look at some of these highlights.

JANUARY: REAL MADRID LIFT THE SPANISH SUPER CUP

January of 2024 brought up the first opportunity for Spanish clubs to win silverware, and it was Real Madrid who triumphed during the Spanish Super Cup held in Saudi Arabia. After eliminating Atlético de Madrid 5-3 in a thrilling semifinal that went to extra time, Los Blancos then overcame arch rivals FC Barcelona 4-1 in a dramatic final, in which Vinícius scored a hat-trick.

FEBRUARY: ALL EYES ON REAL MADRID V GIRONA FC

Turning their attention to the league title race, Real Madrid hosted Girona FC in February for a fascinating top-of-the-table clash. The Catalan outfit travelled to the Spanish capital just two points behind the leaders, but a brace from Jude Bellingham and goals from Vinícius and Rodrygo inspired Real Madrid to a 4-0 victory, a statement win which made them the clear title favourites.

MARCH: VINÍCIUS AND REAL MADRID GO ON A RUN

After defeating Girona FC, Real Madrid went on a run to build their lead at the top of the table and Vinícius was truly inspired. He won the March Player of the Month prize, as he scored five league goals in the month.

APRIL: ATHLETIC CLUB LIFT A TROPHY AND BELLINGHAM WINS ELCLASICO FOR REAL MADRID

The first week of April brought us the 2023/24 Copa del Rey final, which Athletic Club won on penalties against RCD Mallorca to lift this trophy for the first time in 40 years. Then, the second El Clasico of 2023/24 took place on April 21st, and it was a thrilling back-and-forth game. Barça twice took the lead, but Real Madrid turned it around thanks to 73rd-minute Lucas Vázquez and 91st-minute Jude Bellingham goals. That result put Carlo Ancelotti’s side in a commanding position in the table.

MAY: REAL MADRID’S 36TH La Liga EA Sports TITLE

On May 4th, and with four matchdays to spare, Real Madrid mathematically confirmed the La Liga EA Sports title, their 36th Spanish league championship. May was also a big month at other levels of the table, as Girona FC secured European football for the first time and as Cádiz CF, UD Almería and Granada CF were confirmed as the three relegated clubs.

JUNE: La Liga EA Sports WELCOMES RCD ESPANYOL AND KYLIAN MBAPPÉ

On June 1st, Real Madrid lifted another trophy, this time their 15th European Cup. Adding to Madridistas’ euphoria was the news a few days later that Kylian Mbappé would be joining the Spanish club upon the conclusion of his PSG contract. Later in the month, RCD Espanyol won the LA Liga Hyermotion playoffs to confirm their spot in La Liga EA Sports, joining the automatically promoted sides CD Leganés and Real Valladolid.

JULY: SPAIN WIN EURO 2024

Even in July, when there was no club football, several La Liga EA Sports players had something to celebrate. That’s because Spain went all the way to glory at Euro 2024, doing so with a squad packed full of Spain-based talents. There were precisely 19 La Liga EA Sports players in Luis de la Fuente’s squad, including Nico Williams and Mikel Oyarzabal, who scored in the final.

AUGUST: AN OLYMPIC GOLD AND THE La Liga EA Sports KICK OFF

There was more success for Spain in August, as La Roja clinched the gold medal in the men’s football tournament at the Olympic Games, doing so with a squad containing 18 Spain-based players. August was also the month when the 2024/25 La Liga EA Sports season kicked off, with champions Real Madrid dropping points away at RCD Mallorca in Matchday 1. It wasn’t all bad for Los Blancos in August, though, as they won the Uefa Super Cup, defeating Atalanta 2-0.

SEPTEMBER: FC BARCELONA GET OFF TO A FLYING START

Under their new coach Hansi Flick, FC Barcelona got off to a flying start in La Liga EA Sports. Los Azulgranas won their first seven games and looked deadly in attack, with Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha all playing brilliantly. At the end of September, though, the team suffered its first defeat of the campaign, a 4-2 loss at CA Osasuna.

OCTOBER: BARÇA THRASH REAL MADRID IN ELCLASICO

In October, Barça returned to winning ways and demolished Real Madrid 4-0 at the Bernabéu in the first El Clasico of the season. It was an exhibition, as each member of their front three got on the scoresheet, with Lewandowski even scoring twice. That put Hansi Flick’s side six points clear by the end of the month.

NOVEMBER: A MONTH OF DERBIES

There were several derbies in the month of November, starting with the return of Elderbi De Barcelona on November 3rd, when FC Barcelona overcame RCD Espanyol 3-1. Later in the month, Athletic Club defeated Real Sociedad 1-0 in the Basque Derby thanks to a Oihan Sancet goal.

DECEMBER: ATLÉTICO DE MADRID FINISH 2024 TOP OF THE TABLE

As 2024 reaches its conclusion, it’s Atlético de Madrid who sit top of La Liga EA Sports. That’s thanks to seven consecutive victories in the league, the most recent of which was a dramatic 2-1 win away at FC Barcelona. As such, Diego Simeone’s side are currently on 41 points, with Real Madrid second on 40 and Barça third on 38. It’ll be a thrilling title race when La Liga EA Sports resumes in 2025.

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