La Liga Roundup, Matchday 3
The third matchday of the 2025/26 La Liga season has concluded, featuring exciting matches, impressive player displays, and surprising outcomes. Here is the La Liga roundup for this round of games.
Elche 2-0 Levante
Elche have started a top-division season with three unbeaten games for the first time since 1968, following a comfortable 2-0 win over Levante, the team they were promoted with to La Liga this summer. As the match neared its end, Levante, known as the Granotes, fell short. They have now lost their first three league matches of a season for the first time since 2010, while Elche’s coach Eder Sarabia secured the first La Liga victory of his managerial career.
Valencia 3-0 Getafe
Valencia secured their fifth straight home win against Getafe with a 3-0 victory, stopping their rivals from ending Friday at the top of the La Liga standings. A late goal sealed Los Ches’ first win of the season on their third try as the international break approached, while Getafe’s perfect start to the campaign came to an end.
Alaves 1-1 Atletico Madrid
Atlético Madrid extended their disappointing start to the La Liga season by drawing 1-1 with Alavés, marking the first time under Diego Simeone that they have not won any of their first three league matches. Ultimately, Atleti left the Basque Country without the win they were desperately seeking. The last occasion they failed to win any of their opening three league games was during the 2009/10 season under Abel Resino. Meanwhile, Coudet’s team demonstrated their resilience at Mendizorroza, remaining unbeaten in their last six home games (3 wins, 3 draws).
Oviedo 1-0 Real Sociedad
Leander Dendoncker’s goal in the first half secured newly-promoted Real Oviedo their first victory of the 2025/26 La Liga season, as they defeated Real Sociedad 1-0 at the Estadio Carlos Tartiere. Oviedo celebrated at the final whistle, marking their 15th win in the last 22 home games (3 draws, 4 losses). Meanwhile, Sociedad and coach Francisco continue their search for their first three points of the season, having drawn twice and lost once so far.
Girona 0-2 Sevilla
Sevilla secured their first points of the new La Liga season by defeating Girona 2-0 at Estadi Montilivi, ending a streak of five consecutive league losses. Meanwhile, Girona started their top-flight season with three straight defeats for the first time and are currently experiencing their longest losing streak since the six-game run during their relegation season in 2018/19.
Real Madrid 2-1 Mallorca
Real Madrid overturned a deficit to claim a 2-1 win against Mallorca in La Liga, even though three of their goals were ruled out. This victory marked their 10th consecutive home win against Los Piratas. While Madrid was unable to score a third goal, it didn’t affect their perfect start to the La Liga season, securing their third straight win. Mallorca still have only one point from three matches, but given that their defeats came against Real Madrid and Barcelona, it is less concerning.
Celta Vigo 1-1 Villarreal
Borja Iglesias netted a 94th-minute equalizer to help Celta Vigo secure a last-minute 1-1 draw against Villarreal at Balaídos, preventing a sixth consecutive defeat in Sunday La Liga matches. Despite the late turnaround, Celta’s defense will likely need serious evaluation during the international break, as the team has managed only one clean sheet in their last nine La Liga home matches. On the other hand, Villarreal remain unbeaten in their last 10 Sunday La Liga games.
Betis 1-2 Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao began the new La Liga season with three consecutive victories for the first time since the 2009/10 campaign by defeating Real Betis 2-1 at the Estadio de La Cartuja. This win ended Athletic’s seven-game winless streak away at Betis in La Liga and moved them up to second place in the standings early on, while the home team dropped to eighth after losing their previously unbeaten record.
Espanyol 1-0 Osasuna
Osasuna’s struggles in away matches persisted as they were defeated 1-0 by RCD Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium in La Liga. The victory marks a positive beginning to the season for Espanyol, who currently occupy a spot in the top five with seven points. Osasuna, on the other hand, remain in thirteenth place with three points and must improve their away performance if they hope to compete for European qualification this season.
Rayo Vallecano 1-1 Barcelona
Barcelona played a 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano, which prevented them from achieving their 10th consecutive away win. The home team also failed to secure a win, marking only one victory in their last nine home matches (6 draws, 2 losses). Consequently, Barcelona remain unbeaten in La Liga away matches against teams from the Community of Madrid under Hansi Flick (4 wins, 2 draws), but Barça will probably consider this as dropping two points.
