This Week in LaLiga…
What’s been going on in LaLiga this past week? From a dramatic winner from Benzema to Falcao’s dream debut, here’s all you need to know.
This weekend’s LaLiga action produced some fireworks, with great goals and dramatic moments in equal measure. Several Spanish sides also got their European campaigns up and running this past week. Here’s all you need to know from around LaLiga this week.
Real Madrid strike late to go top
It looked like Valencia were going to spend Sunday night as the standalone leaders of LaLiga Santander, but Real Madrid fought back at Mestalla with two goals in two minutes to win 2-1 and claim top spot for themselves. First Vinícius and then Karim Benzema struck in the 86th and 88th minutes for an epic come-from-behind win for Los Blancos.
Falcao’s debut goal
Radamel Falcao made a dream debut at Rayo Vallecano, with the 35-year-old Colombian coming off the bench to score the third and final goal of his new side’s 3-0 victory over local rivals Getafe on Saturday. El Tigre struck a powerful shot into the back of the net and celebrated enthusiastically in front of his new fans – who obviously went mad in delight.
Javier Pastore makes his LaLiga Santander debut
The 29-time Argentina international Javier Pastore enjoyed his first ever minutes in Spanish football’s top division this weekend, coming on for Elche CF in their 1-1 draw against Levante UD. He helped them to pick up another point, one that means that Elche’s only defeat so far this season was their narrow loss away at champions Atlético de Madrid.
Athletic Club remain undefeated
Marcelino has Athletic Club running like a well-oiled machine; team from Bilbao have now drawn three matches and won two to start the season. Despite having to face Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid across their first five fixtures, the Basques have risen to the challenge and are yet to taste defeat in 2021/22, picking up a creditable 0-0 draw away at the reigning champions this weekend.
LaLiga clubs kick off their Champions League campaigns
The Champions League group stage kick off this past week, with five LaLiga Santander sides competing in this year’s edition. Real Madrid defeated Inter on the road in UEFA’s top club competition, while Atlético, Sevilla and Villarreal earned draws against Porto, RB Salzburg and Atalanta, respectively. Barcelona, meanwhile, fell to a defeat against German champions Bayern Munich.
Real Betis and Real Sociedad start the Europa League with points
This past week also saw the Europa League get up and running for Real Betis and Real Sociedad. The former earned a dramatic 4-3 victory over Celtic in their first match, a clash which saw the Andalusians face the club from which they draw their famous green and white colours for the first time in their history. Elsewhere, Real Sociedad claimed a valuable point on the road with a 2-2 draw with PSV Eindhoven.
Successful surgery for Braithwaite
Barcelona forward Martin Braithwaite went under the knife this week, requiring surgery for a patellofemoral injury in his left leg. The procedure was a success and the Denmark international will soon begin the rehab process, hoping to return before the end of the calendar year.
Five finalists for the 2021 Golden Boy award
The list of nominees for the 2021 Golden Boy award, presented to the best U21 player in European football, has been cut to 40 and there are still five LaLiga players in with a chance of claiming the prize: Real Sociedad’s Ander Barrenetxea, Villarreal CF’s Yeremi Pino, Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga and Eric García and Pedri of FC Barcelona.
Benzema pulls away in the Pichichi race
Karim Benzema has achieved so much in LaLiga Santander, but he’s yet to win Pichichi award for the division’s top scorer before. The French forward is looking to change that this season and his winner at Valencia on Sunday puts him top of the scoring charts after five matchdays, with six goals to his name already. Just behind is teammate Vinícius, who has five goals.
Midweek action coming up
The first midweek round of the LaLiga Santander season kicks off this week, with matches taking place on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. With Sevilla vs Valencia and Cádiz vs Barcelona among the midweek fixtures, Matchday 6 is expected to be a fun one.
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