Barcelona, Atletico and La Real flex muscle as La Liga Sunday delivers big statements

From Barcelona's ruthless second-half surge against Real Oviedo to Atletico's relentless dominance in Madrid, the weekend underlined the growing gaps across the table.

Barca turn on the style to sink struggling Oviedo

Barcelona returned to the top of La Liga, one point ahead of Real Madrid, with a commanding 3-0 home victory over Real Oviedo, extending a formidable record at Camp Nou this season. It marked the eighth time in 2025/26 that Barca have won a home league game by at least two goals, while Oviedo remained rooted to the bottom, eight points from safety and without a win in 14 matches.

The visitors started brightly and enjoyed more possession and clearer chances in the opening 15 minutes, with Eric Garcia called into action more than once. Barcelona's front three of Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal struggled for rhythm before the break, and the crowd made its frustration clear.

Everything changed after half-time. Dani Olmo opened the scoring on 52 minutes with a precise low strike into the far corner. Five minutes later, Raphinha capitalised on a poor back pass from David Costas to chip Aaron Escandell, before Lamine Yamal sealed the contest with a stunning scissor kick from Olmo's cross. Oviedo have now lost eight of their last ten visits to Camp Nou.

Sorloth leads Atletico charge at the Metropolitano

Atletico Madrid continued their imperious home form with a 3-0 win over RCD Mallorca, extending their winning run at the Metropolitano to 13 matches. Diego Simeone's side once again struck first, maintaining a perfect record of scoring the opening goal in all 11 home league games this season.

Alexander Sorloth gave the hosts the lead midway through the first half, reacting quickest after Leo Roman parried Marcos Llorente's volley. Mallorca, who have conceded 21 of their 31 league goals before half-time, failed to register a shot on target in the opening period.

The second half offered little respite for the visitors. A miscued clearance from Mateu Morey ricocheted off David Lopez and into his own net, before Thiago Almada wrapped up the win late on with a powerful finish. Atletico consolidated their place in the top four, while Mallorca stayed 16th, just two points above the relegation zone.

Oyarzabal inspires La Real despite late drama

Real Sociedad moved into the top eight after a 3-1 home win over Celta Vigo, completing their first run of three successive league victories since March 2024. Mikel Oyarzabal was the driving force, scoring twice in difficult conditions at the Reale Arena.

After an early scare, Oyarzabal opened the scoring on 17 minutes with a low strike from distance. Sociedad were reduced to ten men in first-half stoppage time when Duje Caleta-Car was sent off, and Celta pressed after the break.

Borja Iglesias eventually levelled on the hour, but Oyarzabal responded almost immediately with another long-range effort, his eighth league goal against Celta. In stoppage time, Brais Mendez converted a penalty after Alvaro Odriozola was fouled, sealing the win and denying Celta a chance to climb into the top five.

Alaves boost survival hopes by outworking Betis

Deportivo Alaves earned a vital 2-1 victory over Real Betis, ending a seven-match winless home run in the fixture and lifting themselves out of the relegation zone. The hosts struck early through Carlos Vicente, who finished clinically after combining with Lucas Boye.

Toni Martinez doubled the lead just after the restart, heading in after Antonio Sivera could only parry Pablo Ibanez's delivery. Betis, who had lost just once away all season, struggled to impose themselves despite late pressure.

Abde Ezzalzouli pulled a goal back in stoppage time, but it proved too little too late. The result left Betis nine points off the top four, while Alaves climbed to 15th, having now lost only two of their last ten competitive home matches. 

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