LaLiga’s fourth matchday was a rollercoaster of goals and crucial moments that resonated with Spain’s elite tier. From Barcelona’s merciless trashing to Real Madrid’s hard-won triumph, the weekend was filled with both dominance and unexpected grit. With 31 goals exchanged in 10 games, supporters were treated to a genuine festival of football.
Key Match Summaries
Barcelona posted the weekend’s best result, routing Valencia 6-0 at the Camp Nou. The Catalans were subdued during a tame first half before unleashing five second-half goals. It was a harrowing attacking performance that reminded the league straightaway of Barca’s firepower.
Real Madrid also caused a stir, beating 2-1 away at Real Sociedad with 10 men for nearly the entire game. An early red card would have seemed to have been the kiss of death, but Los Blancos toughed it out. Sociedad managed only one goal, despite having 23 shots and 64% possession.
At the Metropolitano, Atlético Madrid won 2-0 against Villarreal. A goal in each half was sufficient, as Koke shone in midfield, completing a 99% pass rate in a masterclass display as captain. Villarreal missed the chances they created.
Elsewhere, Espanyol triumphed in a wild 3-2 thriller over Mallorca. The home side scored twice in the first half but saw Pere Milla sent off just before the break. Mallorca leveled through Vedat Muriqi’s brace, but Espanyol found a late winner to spark celebrations.
Levante and Real Betis drew the spoils in another thrilling game. Levante were two up inside 10 minutes, but Betis, who had 28 shots, fought back with a stoppage-time equalizer by Pablo Fornals in the 81st minute. Goalkeeper Mathew Ryan kept Levante in the game with seven saves.
Celta Vigo and Girona had a tight 1-1 draw. Girona took an early lead, but Celta levelled it in injury time to save a point. Goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga was the hero, making six saves for the visitors.
In other matches, Sevilla and Elche played to a 2-2 draw, Getafe defeated Real Oviedo 2-0 in a well-disciplined performance, Alavés shocked Athletic Club with a slim 1-0 victory through an own goal, and Osasuna shut out Rayo Vallecano 2-0 through a gritty defense.
Standout Players and Performances
Barcelona’s front line led the way in ratings. Fermin Lopez captured the highest weekend Sofascore rating (9.5) on two goals and constant dynamism. Robert Lewandowski (8.8) and Raphinha (8.8) kept up with his production with doubles of their own.
Real Madrid’s Arda Güler (8.6) had a man-of-the-match performance, while Kylian Mbappé (8.4) again demonstrated his game-breaking ability. In the midfield, Getafe’s Luis Milla (7.8) excelled with two assists, while Borja Mayoral (7.8) led the attack well with a goal.
Defensively, Antonio Sivera (9.3) was colossal in Alavés’ shock victory, pulling off vital saves and marshaling his rearguard. Espanyol’s Tyrhys Dolan (8.1) also caught the eye with his link play, while Mallorca’s Vedat Muriqi (8.5) kept his team in it with two excellent finishes. Keepers Paulo Gazzaniga (7.9), Sergio Herrera (8.7), and Mathew Ryan (7.8) made the matchday also memorable for heroic stops.
League Table & Impact
Real Madrid, in spite of being outnumbered, exhibited solidity to remain unbeaten and remain in the first place. 2nd ranked Barcelona’s emphatic win sends a resounding message – they are pursuing the top with purpose. Espanyol, Athletic Club and Getafe complete the top 5 of the standings.
Atlético Madrid win their first match of the season to stay in touch with the leaders. Levante, Mallorca and Girona at the bottom of the table – they earned only a point from 4 games. These 3 clubs need to pick up fast to prevent early-season drops.
Suspensions for the Next Round
Madrid’s Dean Huijsen was booked early against Real Sociedad for a professional foul. Federico Viñas of Real Oviedo was booked for violent conduct in their fixture against Getafe. Espanyol’s Pere Milla was also booked for arguing in the injury time of the 1st half against Mallorca. All these players are set to miss the next round of Laliga fixtures.
Looking Ahead
Matchday 5 promises yet more intrigue. Barcelona host Getafe at the Camp Nou while league leaders Real Madrid welcome 3rd placed Espanyol to the Bernebeau. Atlético will hope to maintain their balance as they travel to Mallorca and Sevilla face pressure to finally grab a win against Alaves.
The season is still young, but the tone is already being set: Barcelona’s firepower and Madrid’s resilience look like defining themes in the race for LaLiga’s crown.