Kylian Mbappe extended his goalscoring streak to 11 consecutive games to help Real Madrid reclaim top spot in La Liga with a 1-0 victory at nine-man Getafe on Sunday.

After rivals Barcelona briefly displaced Los Blancos with a narrow win over Girona on Saturday, Xabi Alonso's side restored their two-point advantage before next weekend's Clasico.

Getafe fended off Madrid until Allan Nyom was dismissed a minute after coming on and Mbappe quickly pounced to decide the game in the 80th minute. Alex Sancris was also sent off as Getafe unravelled in the final stages.

T⚪️P of the table! pic.twitter.com/Bp6zu3GoGh

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) October 19, 2025

Alonso started with Brazilian star Vinicius Junior on the bench, with the Champions League clash against Juventus on Wednesday and Barca's impending visit in mind.

The winger turned out to be key as a second-half substitute, with both of Getafe's red cards issued for fouls on him.

"Vini had a great impact... we told him this morning he could be so important," Alonso told reporters.

"It was a very demanding game, coming here to face Getafe is never easy... it wasn't the prettiest game but we did what we had to do."

Mbappe returned after an ankle problem kept him out of a France World Cup qualifier earlier in the week, leading the line at Getafe's Coliseum stadium.

The French forward had scored in his previous 10 consecutive appearances for club and country and found the net once again.

𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮. pic.twitter.com/LRL3caliBf

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) October 19, 2025

"We are very happy with how Kylian is going, he's being decisive," said Alonso.

Mbappe twice came close before Getafe earned a foothold in the game and began to frustrate the visitors, stopping them from creating much danger.

Only towards the end of the first period did Madrid perk up again in attack, with Soria saving from Rodrygo Goes after good work by Jude Bellingham.

Getafe's goalkeeper made a good stop from a powerful David Alaba free-kick and Fede Valverde flashed a strike across the face of goal before half-time.

Alonso sent on Vinicius in the second half and his spark began to worry the hosts, who resorted to fouls to fend off the Brazilian.

Bellingham fed Mbappe who fired off target, and then whipped a free-kick inches wide, as Madrid remained comfortably on top.

GETAFE SEE RED

The game changed when Getafe substitute Nyom, under a minute after coming on, needlessly knocked down Vinicius off the ball with his arm and was sent off.

Moments after play restarted, Real Madrid took the lead.

Arda Guler fed Mbappe, who was just onside, and he turned nicely before firing past Soria and in off the post for his 10th league goal of the season, leading the charts both in La Liga and in the Champions League.

🔓💪 Deadlock BROKEN pic.twitter.com/J3pB7zTj2r

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) October 19, 2025

Getafe continued to self-destruct and Sancris was sent off for a second yellow card, gained for another unneccessary foul on Vinicius, leaving Jose Bordalas's side with nine men.

Alvaro Carreras fired wide after a cheeky scoop over the defence by Vinicius, whom Getafe fans booed.

Despite their significant numerical disadvantage, the hosts had one golden chance to level in stoppage time, but Thibaut Courtois saved from Englishman Abu Kamara with his knee.

"We should not give away this chance, but Thibaut did his job," said Alonso.

Getafe coach Bordalas said he did not believe Nyom deserved to be dismissed before Madrid's opener.

"Nyom's red card changed the game," said the Getafe coach. "For me it's not a red card, yellow at most."

Elsewhere, newly-promoted Elche continued their good start to the season with a 0-0 draw against Athletic Bilbao which left them seventh, one place above their Basque opponents.

Rayo Vallecano climbed into 10th with a 3-0 win at Levante, while struggling Real Sociedad snatched a late 1-1 draw at 10-man Celta Vigo.

Barcelona moved top of La Liga on Saturday after Ronald Araujo struck deep in stoppage time to snatch the champions a 2-1 win over Girona.

The defender, sent on as an emergency forward, netted in the 93rd minute to give Barca a one-point lead over Real Madrid, who visit Getafe on Sunday.

Elsewhere, Thiago Almada earned Atletico Madrid a 1-0 win over Osasuna to take them fourth, while Antony's double helped Real Betis secure a comeback draw at third-place Villarreal.

Following two consecutive defeats, Hansi Flick's Barca were only just able to edge Girona, 19th, thanks to Araujo's late goal.

Pedri Gonzalez slotted Barcelona ahead early on but Axel Witsel equalised with a superb overhead kick for a Girona side who came close to securing a deserved point.

"We didn't play our best match but we fought to the end and we scored that goal -- it will give us confidence for the next matches, at least this is what I hope," said Barca coach Flick.

Flick brought Lamine Yamal back into the starting line-up after he recovered from the groin injury that kept him out of Spain's recent World Cup qualifiers.

The teenage winger also missed the 4-1 thrashing by Sevilla in Barcelona's last La Liga outing.

With several players, including striker Robert Lewandowski, out injured, Flick handed a league debut to 17-year-old forward Toni Fernandez.

In line with the protest organised by the Spanish footballers' association against Barca's match against Villarreal in December which has been moved to Miami, both sets of players stood still for 15 seconds after the whistle blew for kick-off.

Barca took the initiative and earned a 13th-minute lead after Jules Kounde and Yamal combined well, allowing midfielder Pedri to casually pass the ball into the bottom right corner.

Girona, who finished in the top four two seasons ago but have struggled ever since, soon found a way back level.

Witsel produced a stunning overhead kick to equalise in the 20th minute.

The visitors exploited Barcelona's high line several times, with Cristian Portu striking the post after getting in behind Barca's defence, while Girona also spurned two more one-on-ones.

Marcus Rashford struck the crossbar with a free-kick at the other end as a warning to the minnows.

'WE NEEDED THIS'

Paulo Gazzaniga made an excellent save at his near post to thwart Rashford, who also had a penalty appeal waved away.

Flick sent on centre-back Araujo as a striker in the final stages in desperation and the Uruguayan delivered deep in stoppage time, finishing off Frenkie de Jong's cross to snatch three points.

Araujo ripped off his shirt in celebration as Barca claimed a victory which seemed improbable after a flat second-half display.

"At the moment we're leading the table so it's a good situation, Real Madrid have to win tomorrow," said Flick.

"We are missing the dynamic we normally have... we needed this goal and this victory today."

Flick was sent off in the final stages for dissent and is set for a touchline ban at the Santiago Bernabeu next weekend, and perhaps beyond after he made a gesture viewed as uncouth in Spain as he celebrated Araujo's goal.

Atletico continued a run of six matches unbeaten with a hard-fought victory over Osasuna to edge ahead of Betis on goal difference.

Summer arrival Almada netted his first goal for the club after 69 minutes to break Osasuna's resistence and decide the game.

"I'm very happy for my first goal but the most important thing is that the team won," Almada told DAZN.

Atletico started the season poorly but are slowly finding their rhythm.

Rojiblancos stopper Jan Oblak made a fine save late on to deny Ante Budimir and secure his team their three points.

"We need to concentrate, games have escaped us because of small details and we're correcting that as we go," said Atletico midfielder Marcos Llorente.

Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso on Saturday backed LaLiga players protesting against the Spanish top flight's decision to take a match to Miami.

LaLiga announced last week Barcelona's away game at Villarreal will take place in the United States on 20 December, in the first European league fixture to be held abroad.

The Spanish Footballers' Association (AFE) said on Friday there would be a "symbolic protest" at the start of every LaLiga match this week.

Players from both Oviedo and Espanyol refused to move for the first 15 seconds of their game on Friday, although broadcasts of the game did not show this.

"We are against the match, we believe it distorts the competition," Madrid coach Alonso told a news conference.

"There hasn't been unanimity or consultation for it to be played on neutral ground. The protests are positive, and that sentiment is positive.

"We believe it could happen if there were unanimity, but that's not the case."

LaLiga leaders Real Madrid face Getafe on Sunday and Alonso said striker Kylian Mbappe should be ready to play.

The French superstar has endured ankle discomfort over the past fortnight and missed France's World Cup qualifier against Iceland on Monday.

"Everyone who went with their national teams, except Dean (Huijsen), has returned in good condition," said Alonso.

Barcelona have extended their sponsorship agreement with Spotify until 2030, the club announced on Thursday, with the audio streaming giant continuing to feature on the men's and women's first-team jerseys as well as training kits.

The deal extends a collaboration that began three years ago and ensures Spotify retains naming rights for the Camp Nou until 2034, as the iconic stadium undergoes extensive renovation.

"Both Barça and Spotify are global brands with hundreds of millions of fans worldwide," Barcelona said in a statement.

"This partnership enables both brands to expand their presence in strategic markets and create shared synergies with an international reach, connecting with new audiences and consolidating their global outlook.

"With the reopening of the Spotify Camp Nou on the horizon and an excellent generation of young talent, FC Barcelona and Spotify look towards the future together to shape a new and promising era for the club and its global community."

Injury-hit Barcelona expect to have Lamine Yamal back fit to face Girona in LaLiga on Saturday, in a welcome boost as the Catalans aim to bounce back from a damaging defeat with the Clasico in their sights.

Hansi Flick's side were hammered 4-1 by Sevilla before the international break and must regroup before facing Real Madrid on October 26.

Midfielder Pedri Gonzalez said Barca's performance in Seville was the team's worst under Flick, and since then Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo have suffered injuries to deepen their plight.

However Yamal and Fermin Lopez returned to training this week and are expected to be fit to face Girona, while Raphinha is also nearing a return.

Teenage star Yamal missed the thrashing by Sevilla and then Spain's World Cup qualifiers with the recurrence of a groin problem but should feature against Girona in a derby clash.

Yamal's expected return is a welcome boost for Barca ahead of a busy period, with a Champions League match against Olympiacos following on Tuesday ahead of the Clasico.

Joan Garcia, Gavi and Marc-Andre ter Stegen are longer-term absentees and Flick's options remain thin, without much room for rotation.

The coach was careful not to further reduce the morale of his players after their collapse at Sevilla.

"It's one match and we lost it, and we have to keep going on," said the coach, praising his team's second half display after an especially poor first period.

It was Barcelona's first defeat of the season, leaving them two points behind leaders Real Madrid, but not their first bad performance.

Barca drew 1-1 at Rayo Vallecano in August after which Flick blasted the team and suggested they had got too big for their boots after winning a domestic treble last season.

"Ego kills success," warned the German coach, hoping to refocus his players' minds.

It seemed to work as even without teenage star Yamal they secured several wins but then after he got hurt again against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, came their heavy defeat at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan.

Barca started last season superbly but then collapsed in November and December, allowing Atletico Madrid to overtake them at the top of the table.

Flick will be keen for his team to avoid a similar backslide this season and hosting Girona, 18th, in a derby is a good opportunity for his team to get back to winning ways.

The game will take place at the Olympic stadium on the city's Montjuic hill, with Barca's rebuilt Camp Nou home not yet ready to open amid a series of delays.

"I'm really looking forward to going back to Camp Nou, with all our fans," said midfielder Frenkie de Jong, after renewing his contract until 2029 on Wednesday.

"I don't know the date, but we can't wait."

Real Madrid face Getafe on Sunday, hoping in-form striker Kylian Mbappe has recovered from an ankle problem.

Villarreal, third, host Real Betis while Atletico Madrid welcome Osasuna.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Luis Milla

Getafe midfielder Milla has been his team's key weapon this season, providing five assists – no player in the top flight has more. The Madrid minnows host rivals Los Blancos in a derby clash and if they are to take anything from the game Milla will likely have to play an important role.

KEY STATS

4 - Liga matches Barca have conceded first in

7 - matches unbeaten for Atletico Madrid

28 - yellow cards for Sevilla, the most in the top flight

FIXTURES

Friday (all times GMT)

Oviedo v Espanyol (1900)

Saturday

Sevilla v Mallorca (1200), Barcelona v Girona (1415), Villarreal v Real Betis (1630), Atletico Madrid v Osasuna (1900)

Sunday

Elche v Athletic Bilbao (1200), Celta Vigo v Real Sociedad (1415), Levante v Rayo Vallecano (1630), Getafe v Real Madrid (1900)

Monday

Alaves v Valencia (1900)

LaLiga's decision to stage a match in Miami later this year is good for football and a reward for the international supporters who pay to watch the league from afar, the Spanish soccer federation's (RFEF) president Rafael Louzan said.

European governing body Uefa has approved a LaLiga match and a Serie A game to be played abroad, with a fixture between Barcelona and Villarreal taking place in Miami, while AC Milan's meeting with Como will be held in Perth, Australia.

The LaLiga match, scheduled for December 20 at Hard Rock Stadium, will mark the first time that an official European league match will be played abroad.

"It is a reward for those fans who are behind the screen, in Asia or America, who are paying a fee to watch all the LaLiga matches," Louzan said at the World Football Summit in Madrid on Wednesday.

"It is a gesture for them. It is good for football and promotes the Spanish league around the world. Italy is also going to do it with Serie A in Australia."

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong signed a new deal until 2029, the Spanish champions announced on Wednesday.

The 28-year-old Dutch international joined Barcelona from Ajax in 2019 and is in his seventh season with the Catalan giants, winning two LaLiga titles and the Copa del Rey twice.

"Barca are confident that the midfielder can be a pivotal part of the current sporting project due to his quality and experience," said the club in a statement.

Deal 🤝 pic.twitter.com/3qTb5p1LD5

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 15, 2025

De Jong has struggled for form at times but became a key part of the midfield under Hansi Flick last season alongside Pedri Gonzalez.

"I always dreamed of playing for Barca, and now that I am living the dream I have always had since I was a child, I want to continue pursuing this dream for many more years, and I am eager to win titles," De Jong told a news conference.

Arriving under previous Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu, De Jong is one of the club's highest earners, with Spanish media reporting he has accepted a pay cut in his new deal starting from the 2026/27 season.

One of us. 💙❤ pic.twitter.com/Y4Zz82wKUa

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 15, 2025

De Jong said previous media reports over his salary were exaggerated and had affected how he was viewed by fans.

"I will not tell you what I will earn, they've always talked about it a lot but I think that numbers regarding what I earned before have been exaggerated a lot," he explained.

"I think that has affected a bit how people see me, because if they read in newspapers that Frenkie earns this, that he's the player who earns the most money in Europe... it has an impact."

Barcelona tried to sell De Jong in 2022 as part of cost-cutting measures but the midfielder dug in to stay at the club for whom he has made over 250 appearances.

"I don't feel under-valued by my teammates, coaches or within the club, that's more (a media) thing," added De Jong.

"That's the beauty of football, everyone can have their opinion."

Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski is set to miss the Clasico after the Spanish champions diagnosed him with a hamstring injury on Tuesday.

The 37-year-old forward suffered the injury during a World Cup qualifier for Poland against Lithuania on Sunday.

Lewandowski "has a muscle tear in the biceps femoris of his left thigh," said Barcelona in a statement, with Spanish media reporting he could be sidelined for between four to six weeks.

Barcelona face LaLiga leaders Real Madrid in a Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu on 26 October, while the forward is also set to miss Champions League matches against Olympiakos and Club Brugge, among other games.

Goalkeeper Joan Garcia and playmaker Dani Olmo are also poised to miss out on the Clasico for Barca, but teenage winger Lamine Yamal returned to training on Monday after a groin problem.

Barca striker Ferran Torres was sent home from the Spain national team camp because of muscular discomfort, but the club confirmed Monday he has not suffered an injury.

Torres has led the line for Barca on various occasions this season already, with Lewandowski often featuring as a substitute.

Barcelona midfielder Dani Olmo is a doubt for the upcoming LaLiga Clasico match against Real Madrid after being diagnosed with a calf injury on Monday.

"Olmo has a muscle injury in his left calf, without connective tissue involvement," said Barcelona in a statement, not specifying his expected recovery time.

Spanish media reported Olmo could miss around a fortnight, making him a doubt to face Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on 26 October.

Olmo was sent home from the Spanish national team camp last week because of the injury.

Barca forward Ferran Torres also left the Spain camp on Monday because of muscular discomfort.

Torres was "diagnosed with muscle overload without any structural injury" said Spain, and he will miss their 2026 World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria on Tuesday.

Barcelona's teenage defender Pau Cubarsi, an emerging talent for club and country, has shed light on his grounded lifestyle off the pitch, painting a picture far removed from the typical image of a footballer's glamorous life.

In an interview with Spanish sports daily AS, the 18-year-old said that he has a modest home life in Barcelona with his older sister Irene, where they share household chores such as cooking and washing dishes.

The Spain international, who has already drawn attention for his maturity on the pitch being a key player in Barcelona's LaLiga and Copa del Rey double campaign last season, highlighted the importance of his family in keeping him in check.

"I'm just a regular guy," Cubarsi said on Thursday as he prepares with his Spain teammates for their World Cup qualifier against Georgia on Saturday. "I've got my feet on the ground. My family keeps me grounded, especially my parents and my sister."

 

Cubarsi, who is studying a Business Administration and Management course, said that he dedicates three afternoons a week to his coursework, ensuring he is prepared for life beyond football.

"Football doesn't leave much time, but I want to prepare myself. This course is more relaxed than university, which requires more time. That way, I can recover and study," he said.

Having grown up in La Masia, Barcelona's famed academy, Cubarsi moved in with his sister after graduating to the first team. Their parents frequently visit from their village of Estanyol in Girona.

"I'm learning to cook a few things, and if there are any dishes to wash, I wash them," he said.

Despite his grounded nature, Cubarsi is ambitious on the pitch, with a potential first World Cup appearance next year.

"I'm really looking forward to it, and I'm also excited about winning it. A World Cup is spectacular, and just being able to compete would be magnificent," he said.

Barcelona will face Villarreal in Miami in a LaLiga match on December 20, the Spanish top flight said on Wednesday, making it the first European league fixture to be played abroad.

Earlier this week, European football governing body Uefa said they opposed the idea of games being played overseas but would permit it on an exceptional basis, along with a Serie A match in Australia in February between AC Milan and Como.

"With this match, we take a historic step that projects LaLiga and Spanish football into a new dimension," said LaLiga president Javier Tebas in a statement.

"We understand and respect the concerns that this decision may generate, but it is important to put it into context – it is a single match out of the 380 that make up the season."

The game was due to be played at Villarreal's home stadium, but will now take place at the Hard Rock Stadium in the United States, in Florida.

🚨 OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT.

LALIGA confirms the official match in Miami between @VillarrealCF and @FCBarcelona.

📅 December 20, 2025 at the Hard Rock Stadium.

— LALIGA Corporativo (@LaLigaCorp) October 8, 2025

Villarreal will take measures to compensate season ticket holders after the game was moved.

"Villarreal season ticket holders will be able to travel for free to the match, and those who choose not to travel to Miami will enjoy a 30 per cent discount on their season ticket price as part of the measures designed to reward their support and loyalty," said LaLiga.

In September, a total of 18 fan groups from both teams involved expressed their "complete opposition" to the match taking place abroad.

LaLiga have attempted to play matches overseas dating back to 2017, but the Spanish football federation (RFEF) frequently resisted, despite hosting the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia themselves.

Barcelona's rivals, Real Madrid, have also expressed their disapproval at the decision to take a LaLiga game abroad.

They said in August that hosting the game in Miami would "alter the competitive balance" of the league and set an "unacceptable precedent".

Spanish champions Barcelona said on Tuesday that they now plan to return to their renovated Camp Nou home only once they get permission to have a temporary capacity of 45,000 supporters.

The decision comes less than a week after Barca once again delayed their expected return to their iconic home stadium -- which was initially slated for November 2024 before being pushed back several times.

Previously, the Catalan giants were hoping to reopen their stadium once they obtained a licence to host matches in front of 27,000 fans -- something that they had hoped to secure last month.

The decision to wait until the temporary capacity is increased to 45,000 is almost certain to cause further delays to the re-opening of one of Europe's great stadiums after a re-development that has suffered several setbacks.

The club are estimated to be paying 1.5 billion euros ($1.75 billion) for the Camp Nou rebuild, which has been beset by reconstruction chaos.

"Although it is expected to soon receive the first occupancy licence for phase 1A... Barcelona will work with the goal of returning to Spotify Camp Nou once the licence for phase 1B is obtained, which will expand the capacity to 45,000 spectators," the club said in a statement without giving any indication of when that would be.

Barcelona were humiliatingly forced to play two matches at their 6,000 capacity Johan Cruyff training ground stadium in the first weeks of the season after failing to get the permit they needed for Camp Nou.

The city council said in September that they would not allow Barcelona to return to the stadium, which will have a capacity of 105,000 when it is completed, because of safety issues.

Barcelona confirmed on Tuesday that they will host their next La Liga game against Girona on October 18 at the Olympic stadium on the city's Montjuic hill.

The club played there for the last two seasons while Camp Nou was closed and had to return there at the end of September following their two games at the tiny Johan Cruyff venue.

Barca had already announced their next Champions League match against Olympiakos will also take place there on October 21. Their next home games after that are against Elche on November 2 and Athletic Bilbao on November 23.

 

Spanish champions Barcelona collapsed in a shock 4-1 demolition at Sevilla on Sunday in LaLiga, with Alexis Sanchez scoring against his former side and Robert Lewandowski missing a penalty for the visitors.

The Catalans sit second in the table after their first league defeat of the campaign, two points behind bitter rivals Real Madrid following Los Blancos' victory over Villarreal on Saturday, while Sevilla rise to sixth.

Real Betis moved fourth with a 2-1 win at Espanyol, thanks to a stoppage-time penalty save by their goalkeeper Pau Lopez, who formerly played for the Catalans.

Atletico Madrid stumbled to a 1-1 draw at Celta Vigo after having Clement Lenglet sent off in the first half and sit fifth.

Veteran Chilean winger Sanchez put Sevilla ahead from the penalty spot early on against Barca and Isaac Romero doubled the hosts' lead after having already missed two good chances.

Marcus Rashford pulled a goal back before halftime, but Lewandowski fired wide from the spot to spurn his team's best chance of an equaliser.

Jose Carmona and Akor Adams wrapped up Sevilla's emphatic win in the final stages, as Hansi Flick's side fell to an unusually heavy defeat.

"The team's first 45 minutes were horrendous. I think we've not played a game as bad as that and we must be self-critical," Barca midfielder Pedri Gonzalez told the club's media channel.

Flick defended his team despite their loss, saying that he was pleased with their reaction in the second half.

"It's one match and we lost it, and we have to keep going," he said.

Barcelona were still licking their wounds after Paris Saint-Germain beat them late on in the Champions League on Wednesday, and were without injured teenage star Lamine Yamal.

"In the first half we didn't know how to defend well or attack well," Pedri told Movistar, of his team's sluggish display.

The rout began when Ronald Araujo clumsily grappled with Romero in the box and conceded a penalty.

Sanchez dispatched it, with the 36-year-old sending Wojciech Szczesny the wrong way to fire Matias Almeyda's side ahead.

SEVILLA RAMPANT

Romero swept into the bottom corner from Ruben Vargas's cutback for the second as Barca were opened up easily again.

Rashford was the first Barcelona player to awake from their slumber and pulled the champions back into the game deep in first-half stoppage time, volleying home Pedri's cross for his first LaLiga goal.

Having won just one league game at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan in 2025 before Barcelona's visit, the hosts' nerves began to shake.

Sevilla substitute Adnan Januzaj conceded a penalty for felling Balde as he flew into the box, granting Barca a golden chance to level.

Veteran Polish striker Lewandowski stuttered twice in his run-up before firing wide of the post.

Youngster Roony Bardghji could have equalised but fired straight at the goalkeeper after Lewandowski's flick-on sent him in on goal.

Sevilla wrapped up their win late on through full-back Carmona, who drilled a low effort past Szczesny and into the far corner, and Adams.

"I'm very happy for the victory, we needed to win at home," said Sevilla coach Almeyda.

"We couldn't give them a metre of space... we knew what we had to do and we're on a good path."

ATLETICO DROP POINTS

Atletico's draw at Celta left them eight points behind leaders Real Madrid and six behind Barca.

A Carl Starfelt own-goal put Atletico ahead before Lenglet was sent off in the 40th minute for two yellow cards.

Iago Aspas, who equalled the record for most Celta appearances, bundled home an equaliser in the second half, with the hosts on top but unable to find a winner.

It was Celta's sixth 1-1 draw of the season in eight league games, with the Galician side yet to win.

Atletico had won their prior three across all competitions, including a 5-2 thrashing of Real Madrid last weekend.

"I'm very happy with the work of my players," said an annoyed Simeone repeatedly, in answer to various questions about the game.

The coach had shown his anger on the touchline at the decision to send off Lenglet for two fouls on Ferran Jutgla.

Promoted side Elche fell to their first defeat of the season, a 3-1 loss at Alaves that left them seventh.

Vinicius Junior fired Real Madrid to the top of LaLiga with a brace in a 3-1 win over Villarreal on Saturday, while Kylian Mbappe was also on target.

Los Blancos moved two points clear of champions Barcelona, who visit Sevilla on Sunday, as they bounced back from last week's derby drubbing.

Having returned from their long midweek trip to Kazakhstan, where they beat Kairat in the Champions League, Madrid turned their focus back to domestic matters.

Thrashed 5-2 by city rivals Atletico Madrid last weekend, Xabi Alonso's side had plenty to prove against a strong Villarreal team, who are third.

"I played very well and I want to continue like this, keeping this confidence and doing even more," Vinicius told Real Madrid TV.

Real Madrid cruise to three points to reclaim top spot in #LaLiga ⚪⚡#SSFootball pic.twitter.com/4CMI1kfSbR

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 4, 2025

The winger did not start the season well but has found form in recent outings.

"We have good feelings... when we come back (from the international break) we have big games and we need confidence," added Vinicius.

Alonso brought Fede Valverde back into the team, playing him at right-back in the absence of injured duo Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Madrid had the better of a slow-paced first half at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Teenage attacker Franco Mastantuono might have sent Los Blancos ahead but Villarreal defender Renato Veiga blocked his shot after Mbappe cut the ball back to him.

At the other end, Thibaut Courtois saved superbly from Tani Oluwaseyi, who snuck in behind the centre-backs but could not beat Madrid's Belgian goalkeeper.

Mastantuono, signed from River Plate in the summer, drilled narrowly wide of the near post before the break.

Los Blancos took the lead early in the second half through Vinicius, whose shot took a fortunate deflection off Santi Comesana and flew past the helpless Arnau Tenas.

Xabi Alonso brought on Jude Bellingham for the final 25 minutes, after benching him for the second game running following the Atletico debacle.

Thomas Tuchel left the midfielder out of his England squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers this week, and he was out to prove a point.

TENAS RESISTANCE

Madrid doubled their lead when Rafa Marin brought down Vinicius in the area and the Brazilian beat Tenas from the spot. The former Barcelona goalkeeper could have stopped the penalty but the ball slipped under him.

Vinicius wanted another penalty when Tenas appeared to bring him down in the box moments later, but his appeals were waved away.

Bellingham twice came close but Tenas denied him on both occasions, with the midfielder kicking a post in frustration.

Villarreal pulled a goal back through Georges Mikautadze, who finished lethally from the edge of the box, but Madrid quickly restored their two-goal cushion.

Yellow Submarine defender Santiago Mourino was sent off for a second yellow card for a push on Vinicius as he charged down the wing, and soon Mbappe netted the third.

Brahim Diaz teed up the French superstar to roll home his ninth league goal of the campaign, making him the division's top scorer.

Mbappe was taken off with an apparent knock in the final stages, in the only negative note for a Madrid side who were good value for their three points.

Villarreal's Comesana complained about some of the refereeing decisions which went against his side.

"It's a shame about the first goal which hit me, and then came the penalty, which wasn't enough (of a foul) to give it," Comesana told DAZN.

"That hurt us a lot, you only have to look how he threw himself down... and the red card (was soft)... if it's already hard to win at the Bernabeu, with these things it's even harder."

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said he was being protective of Lamine Yamal when he remarked last month that the Spain team should take better care of players after the 18-year-old's groin injury flared up again, sidelining him for two to three weeks.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente had responded to Flick's comments on Friday, saying he had thought the Barcelona manager would have had more empathy for a colleague, given that Flick had once managed Germany.

Forward Yamal, who missed four matches last month due to the injury, will sit out Spain's World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Bulgaria next week, and is a doubt for Barcelona's Champions League match against Olympiacos.

"The situation was, after the last international break, when Lamine came back, he was like that. From my perspective, I want to protect my player. I want to support him," Flick told reporters ahead of Sunday's LaLiga clash at Sevilla.

"But it's done now... I have no bad things about this situation. It happens in football, of course.

"I also know it from the other side. It's also not easy for him, it's not easy for me. But you also have to understand that I have to protect my player."

YAMAL NEEDS THE "RIGHT MINUTES", SAYS FLICK

Flick said he would not have started Yamal in Wednesday's 2-1 Champions League loss to Paris St Germain if he had any doubts about the player's fitness.

"I spoke with him today and it's much better than before, but it's not good," Flick said about Yamal, who has scored two goals and provided four assists in four LaLiga appearances this season.

"Everyone knows the quality of Lamine, it's huge. But it's also my responsibility to give him the right load, the right minutes when he comes back... this injury is not so easy like the muscle injuries."

Champions Barcelona top the LaLiga standings, one point ahead Real Madrid, whom they visit on October 26. Sevilla are nine points behind the leaders.

"We know Sevilla well, they play aggressively and intensely, they have their own style and a good fan base behind them. It will be difficult... we want to take the three points," Flick said.

"Everyone is disappointed after the defeat (to PSG). We have to be smarter."

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said Saturday Lamine Yamal's groin injury is not simple to heal from and cast doubt over a potential return date.

The Spanish champions said Yamal would be out for two-to-three weeks in a statement on Friday, but Flick suggested the 18-year-old winger's absence could potentially be longer.

Yamal will miss World Cup qualifiers with Spain and is aiming to return before Barcelona face Real Madrid in a Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu on October 26.

"This injury is not so easy, like a muscle (injury), we have this experience with (those), the coaches, the therapists.

"With this kind of injury, it's not easy to say now, okay, he can play in two weeks, in three weeks or four weeks, so he's able to play in the Clasico – this is not possible.

"We have to wait... we have to manage his (work) load. He will train with our recovery team, so for the next weeks he is with them, we have to go step by step and have to see how his evolution is."

Yamal suffered a groin injury while playing with Spain in September, missing four games before returning to action last week.

The teenager, recently voted the second best player in the world at the Ballon d'Or gala, played against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday, suffering a recurrence of his injury.

Flick said he had spoken to Yamal on Saturday and the winger gave him positive news.

"I spoke with him today and it's much better than before, but it's not good," said the coach, ahead of Sunday's LaLiga clash against Sevilla.

Flick criticised Spain coach Luis de la Fuente after Yamal played against Bulgaria and Turkey with pain-killing injections.

De la Fuente said Friday he expected Flick to have more "empathy" having been a national team coach himself, but the German stood by his words.

"I don't regret this, I want to protect my players," added Flick.

"It's done now, for me it's over, we have to look forwards... the important thing is that we manage this together, the clubs and the federation."

Barcelona's Lamine Yamal will be sidelined for "two to three weeks" after aggravating a groin injury, the club announced on Friday.

The 18-year-old winger, who had been called up for Spain's World Cup qualifying matches against Georgia and Bulgaria next week, will not be part of the national team squad after the issue flared up following Wednesday's 2-1 Champions League loss to Paris St Germain.

This latest setback resurrects an injury saga that has already seen Yamal miss four games this season. He originally sustained the injury during September's international break when Spain faced Turkey and Bulgaria, igniting a spat between club and country.

 

𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐋 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒

The discomfort in the pubic area that player Lamine Yamal has been experiencing has reappeared after the match against PSG. He will be out for the Sevilla game, and the estimated recovery time is 2-3 weeks. pic.twitter.com/zFLebl67k5

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 3, 2025

 

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick told the media that the Spain team "should take better care of players", comments that clearly rankled Spain coach Luis de la Fuente.

De la Fuente fired back on Friday, saying he "was surprised by the German manager's comments, given that (Flick) is a manager who has also coached a national team and I thought he would have had more empathy (with a colleague)."

The timing is particularly cruel for Yamal, who had just returned from his previous three-week layoff to help Barcelona beat Real Sociedad last weekend before playing the full 90 minutes against PSG.

"The groin problem for Lamine Yamal has returned following the game against PSG. The player will miss (Sunday's) game against Sevilla and his recovery time is estimated at 2-3 weeks," Barcelona said in a statement.

Yamal has managed five appearances for Barca this season, scoring two goals.

 

Barcelona star Lamine Yamal will be out for two to three weeks due to continued discomfort in the pubic area, the club announced.

He will miss the international break with Spain and Sunday's match v Sevilla. pic.twitter.com/AAnprIj2qn

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 3, 2025

 

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso remained composed on Friday as he addressed the media ahead of their clash with Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday, their first LaLiga outing since a humbling 5-2 derby loss at Atletico Madrid last weekend.

The build-up has been overshadowed by media reports of unrest involving Uruguay midfielder Federico Valverde, who was left on the bench in Tuesday's 5-0 Champions League win at Kairat Almaty.

Valverde has denied claims that he refused to play as a right fullback, taking to social media to reaffirm his commitment to the club, saying that "I always let (the coach) know that I am available to perform anywhere."

When pressed about whether players influence his team selection, Alonso remained diplomatically vague: "No one has ever told me that they don't want to play in a certain position. Everyone wants to play, but no one has said that to me."

Valverde, who is one of Real Madrid's captains, is expected to be in contention for Saturday's match, with Alonso saying: "He is ready for tomorrow, like everyone else. We know how important it is and we want to end this block with a victory."

The controversy marks the latest headache in Alonso's tenure since he arrived in late May to replace Carlo Ancelotti, who left to take the vacant Brazil job.

Alonso has previously dealt with Vinicius Jr's and Rodrygo's dissatisfaction with their playing time in his rotation system.

Asked about his authority being questioned, Alonso emphasised team unity. "We spend a lot of time together ... And we have that closeness of preparing for matches, celebrating victories ... that brings us closer together," he said.

The 43-year-old manager also addressed the fallout from Real's humiliating defeat at Atletico, urging balance amid the highs and lows of football.

"You shouldn't get too carried away with victories, nor get too downhearted with defeats," he remarked. "This happens at any club. We don't forget it, but we don't dwell on it."

Villarreal's visit presents a test of Real's resolve as they look to bounce back from the derby disappointment.

Alonso was measured when asked about supporters' expectations, stating: "I'm not asking for anything from the fans; we have to be the ones to give. Let's try to win by being proactive in the way we intend to."

Real Madrid host Villarreal on Saturday aiming to get their LaLiga campaign back on track after a punishing derby defeat last weekend.

Xabi Alonso's side's perfect start to the campaign came to a juddering halt with a 5-2 beating by rivals Atletico Madrid, with the repercussions from it felt over the past week.

The coach was keen to move on after admitting his team deserved to lose, but some Madrid players have been ruminating on it.

Striker Kylian Mbappe said Madrid "cannot forget" what happened and had to keep working to avoid having another night in the same vein, after thrashing Kazakh minnows Kairat on Tuesday in the Champions League.

Midfielder Fede Valverde cited a lack of "attitude" multiple times when asked about the derby loss and said players had spoken among themselves and with the staff about it.

Alonso said just blaming the team's attitude was "too simplistic", and also dropped Valverde for the game against Kairat.

The Uruguayan midfielder had been tipped to fill in at right-back after Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dani Carvajal's injuries, as he has done before, but insisted he was "not born to play" in the position.

Alonso deployed Raul Asencio there instead, with Spanish media reporting it was a punishment for Valverde saying he did not want to feature in that role.

"I know I have had bad games, I am aware of it. I do not hide and I face it. I am really sad," wrote Valverde on social media on Wednesday.

"They can say many things about me, but under no circumstances can they say that I refuse to play.

"I have given everything and more for this club, I have played with fractures, injuries and I have never complained or asked for a break."

How Alonso fits in England international Jude Bellingham is another question to be answered.

The coach brought him in for a first start of the season against Atletico but Bellingham struggled to make an impact.

Bellingham was also benched against Kairat, but unlike Valverde, was introduced as a substitute.

The midfielder's inclusion against Atletico led to Arda Guler being pushed out to the right, even though the Turkish playmaker has impressed in a more central role so far under Alonso.

Vinicius Junior also appeared frustrated when brought off against Kairat by Alonso, without having scored.

Madrid trail champions and leaders Barcelona by one point and lead Villarreal, third, by two.

The Yellow Submarine's visit will be another test of Alonso's team's mettle in big games.

A 4-0 thrashing by Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup this summer and the Atletico defeat raised some fears among Madrid fans that they struggle against elite sides.

They were knocked out of the Champions League in the quarterfinals by Arsenal last season under Carlo Ancelotti.

Madrid's good run of form in LaLiga came against teams mainly ensconced in the bottom half, with the exception of Espanyol's visit to the Santiago Bernabeu.

One big positive for Los Blancos has been Mbappe's form. He has 13 goals across all competitions in just nine appearances.

Elsewhere Hansi Flick's Barcelona visit Sevilla on Sunday, looking to maintain their advantage at the top.

PLAYER TO WATCH: LUIS MILLA

Getafe midfielder Milla has started the season in excellent form and no player has more than his tally of four assists. Jose Bordalas' team's style is not to everyone's taste but Getafe are sitting in upper mid-table and will look to climb even further when they visit Osasuna on Friday.

Key stats

1 - Sevilla league win at home in the whole of 2025

2 - teams left unbeaten this season – champions Barcelona and promoted side Elche

200 - Antoine Griezmann reached a milestone figure for Atletico goals this week in the Champions League

Fixtures

Friday (all times GMT)

Osasuna v Getafe (1900)

Saturday

Oviedo v Levante (1200), Girona v Valencia (1415), Athletic Club v Mallorca (1630), Real Madrid v Villarreal (1900)

Sunday

Alaves v Elche (1200), Sevilla v Barcelona (1415), Espanyol v Real Betis, Real Sociedad v Rayo Vallecano (both 1630), Celta Vigo v Atletico Madrid (1900)

Barcelona's return to the Camp Nou has been delayed again after the Spanish champions said on Thursday the stadium would not be ready to host the club's next Champions League match against Olympiakos.

The Catalan giants had been hoping to gain a permit from the city council in time for the third game of their European campaign on 21 October, but instead that match will be played at the Olympic stadium.

Barca were beaten 2-1 by Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday at the same ground.

"The club is continuing to work to obtain the necessary administrative permits for the opening of the Camp Nou in the coming days," Barca said.

More than two years since the start of renovation works, the famous stadium is still not ready to host matches, even with a reduced capacity.

The final capacity of the Camp Nou is expected to be 105 000.

The grand opening was originally slated for November 2024 but works have been hit by several delays.

The city's fire department said there are still problems with evacuation routes, among other safety issues.

Hansi Flick's side played away for the first three weeks of the LaLiga season to provide time to get the stadium ready to be reopened.

They then hosted Valencia and Getafe at the 6 000-capacity Johan Cruyff stadium beside their training ground.

Barcelona are estimated to be paying €1.5 billion ($1.75 billion) for the Camp Nou rebuild.