La Liga Review
LaLiga’s 2025/26 curtain-raiser had a bit of everything
LaLiga’s 2025/26 curtain-raiser had a bit of everything: champions Barcelona brushed aside Mallorca 3–0 despite the hosts finishing with nine men, a debuting Marcus Rashford featured while Raphinha struck early and Lamine Yamal got in on the act. Hansi Flick still scolded the performance—proof that Barça’s bar is sky-high even in a comfortable win.
Elsewhere, Rayo Vallecano spoiled Girona’s party with a sharp 3–1 away win; Villarreal handled promoted Oviedo 2–0; Alavés edged Levante 2–1; and Take Kubo rescued Real Sociedad with a neat equaliser in a 1–1 at Valencia. Getafe, operating with a threadbare registered squad, stunned Celta in Vigo 2–0 with a ruthlessly direct display.
The headline shock came in Cornellà : newly promoted Espanyol beat Atlético Madrid 2–1, a jolt to Simeone’s side on day one. Real Madrid, meanwhile, don’t kick off their league campaign until 19 August, so the opening weekend table has a slightly lopsided look.
| Pos | Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barcelona | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 |
| 2 | Rayo Vallecano | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 |
| 3 | Villarreal | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 |
| 4 | Getafe | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 |
| 5 | Athletic Club | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 |
| 6 | Espanyol | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 |
| 7 | Alavés | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 |
| 8 | Valencia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| — | Real Madrid | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |