La Liga Matchweek Three: Challengers Rise as Barcelona Stumbles

The reigning champions’ grip on La Liga’s summit slipped this weekend as a surprising cast of contenders staked their claim at the top. Barcelona’s 1-1 stalemate with Rayo Vallecano handed the initiative to Real Madrid and Athletic Club, who now share the coveted top spot after contrasting victories.

Real Madrid and Athletic Club Seize Momentum

Real Madrid’s Dramatic Comeback

Real Madrid illustrated their capacity to grind out results when it matters most. Trailing 1-0 to Real Mallorca at the break, Carlo Ancelotti’s side engineered a 2-1 turnaround on Saturday evening. The narrative could have been entirely different—three goals were ruled out by VAR throughout the contest—but the Spanish giants ultimately made their pressure count. Vinícius Júnior’s predatory finish just before half-time proved pivotal, signaling his gradual return to the form that defined his breakthrough campaign.

Athletic Club’s Consistent Excellence

Across Seville, Athletic Club maintained their unbeaten run with a commanding 2-1 victory over Real Betis. Under the tactical stewardship of Ernesto Valverde, the Basque side executed a blueprint that exposed their opponents’ defensive vulnerabilities. The deployment of Álex Berenguer as a false nine created persistent problems for an unsettled Betis rearguard, allowing Athletic Club to extend their winning streak to three consecutive matches. This performance underscored why Valverde, despite his years in the game, continues to extract maximum value from squad rotation and positional creativity.

The Chasing Pack

Villarreal’s championship aspirations took a dent when they conceded a cruel injury-time equalizer against Celta Vigo, settling for a 1-1 draw. Espanyol moved into contention with a narrow 1-0 victory over Osasuna, where Carlos Romero’s precision finish from the edge of the box proved decisive. Meanwhile, newly-promoted Elche sent an emphatic statement by defeating Levante 2-0, suggesting their promotion to La Liga may not be a temporary arrangement.

Momentum Building Elsewhere

Beyond the title conversation, several teams used this weekend to arrest recent form wobbles. Valencia’s emphatic 3-0 dismantling of Getafe announced their intentions in emphatic fashion, with the return of Mouctar Diakhaby to full fitness providing defensive stability. Real Oviedo, desperate for any respite after eight years without a La Liga goal, finally ended their torment when Leander Dendoncker wrote himself into the club’s history books. The Belgian defender’s strike against Real Sociedad—recorded as Oviedo’s first goal in 8,840 days—sparked scenes of genuine catharsis at the Estádio Tartiere.

Sevilla likewise secured their opening victory with a 2-0 shutout of Girona, built on the creative backbone of Rubén Vargas’ two-assist display. Yet for Atlético Madrid, frustration persists. Another draw with Alavés leaves Diego Simeone’s side still searching for their maiden win of the campaign.

Defining Individual Moments

Generational Talent Emerges

Lamine Yamal’s performance against Rayo Vallecano epitomized Barcelona’s attacking prowess despite the overall result. The teenage sensation single-handedly dismantled the visitor’s defensive line, winning the penalty from which he himself converted. His ability to beat defenders one-on-one—completing three successful dribbles while winning ten duels—suggests the future remains bright for the Catalan club, even if immediate title hopes have dimmed.

Defensive Masterclasses

Áaron Escandell’s goalkeeping display proved crucial to Oviedo’s breakthrough victory. Making six saves while denying 2.1 expected goals, the shot-stopper erased memories of previous defensive frailties that had haunted the newly-promoted side.

Dean Huijsen’s emergence as a cornerstone of Real Madrid’s defense continues to surprise observers. At just twenty years of age, the Spanish international has become an automatic starter for the Whites, dictating play from deep with more completed passes than any outfield colleague while creating two chances that catalyzed the comeback.

The Talking Points

Refereeing Controversy and the Penalty Paradox

In a season defined by fierce debate over officiating standards, an unlikely team has emerged as the primary beneficiary. Alavés has been awarded eight penalties during the 2025 calendar year—more than any other La Liga club. The latest came when Alexander Sørloth’s contact with Nahuel Tenaglia resulted in Carlos Vicente’s conversion, gifting the Vitoria-based club their seventh converted penalty this year. The statistical anomaly raises uncomfortable questions about either their playing style or the consistency of penalty awards.

The Vallecas Flashpoint

Away from the pitch, Rayo Vallecano’s management faced backlash from their own supporters during the Barcelona clash. Club president Raúl Martín Presa strongly rejected fan criticism, sparking a debate about organizational direction that extends beyond purely sporting matters.

Tactical Innovations

Ernesto Valverde’s masterstroke with Athletic Club demonstrates how veteran coaching minds continue to find fresh solutions. His deployment of unconventional positioning—using Álex Berenguer as an attacking midfielder rather than a traditional winger—created numerical and spatial advantages that Real Betis couldn’t adequately counter. This flexibility, combined with disciplined pressing, has become the hallmark of Athletic Club’s recent resurgence.

Looking Ahead

With the international break beckoning, La Liga enters a period of reflection. Barcelona must reassess their championship credentials after dropping points at home. Real Madrid and Athletic Club, meanwhile, must prove their early-season excellence isn’t merely cyclical fortune. The emergence of Valencia, Oviedo, and a resurgent Sevilla suggests this campaign will lack the predictability that has sometimes characterized recent seasons.

For players like Vinícius Júnior, gradually finding rhythm; young prospects like Lamine Yamal and Dean Huijsen, establishing themselves as future pillars; and experienced navigators like Ernesto Valverde, managing squads through transitions—La Liga’s third matchweek has provided compelling evidence that this title race will demand sustained excellence rather than isolated moments of brilliance.