Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso urged his unbeaten side to stay sharp before Saturday’s Madrid derby at the Metropolitano. Los Blancos top La Liga after six straight wins but sit just two points ahead of Barcelona. Alonso, who played five seasons for Real, said his team cannot rely on their badge or early form. “Some games were a real struggle, so we can’t get overconfident,” he told reporters. “We need to stay switched on in every match at any ground. If we relax, a lapse can cost us.” Real have conceded only three goals in the league so far, but Alonso warned that focus will be key to extending their perfect start.  

Atletico Madrid ended Real Madrid’s perfect start to the season in stunning fashion thanks to Alvarez.  Real, unbeaten in seven matches across all competitions, hoped to stretch their La Liga lead but instead endured a nightmare evening. Diego Simeone’s men overwhelmed the visitors early on, and Robin Le Normand’s 14th-minute header from Giuliano Simeone’s cross gave Atleti a deserved lead. Real’s response was swift. Arda Guler split the defence with a precise through ball to Kylian Mbappe, who hammered in his 12th goal in 10 games for club and country. The visitors then went ahead as Vinícius Júnior’s pinpoint delivery found Guler, who finished superbly on the half-volley. But Atletico roared back, spearheaded by Julián Álvarez relentless finishing to power Simeone’s side to a famous derby triumph and halt Real’s early-season charge.    

Robert Lewandowski late strike earned Barcelona a 2-1 win over Real Sociedad, sending the Catalans to the top of La Liga. Barca dominated early, enjoying nearly 90% possession in the opening 20 minutes, but Sergio Francisco’s men held firm. Marcus Rashford forced a brilliant save from Alex Remiro, while Ronald Araujo fired narrowly wide. Against the run of play, Real Sociedad struck first on the half-hour when Álvaro Odriozola converted a swift counter. Remiro then denied a freak own goal before Pedri’s rebound drifted wide. Jules Koundé equalised just before half-time with a towering header from a Rashford corner. Both sides went close after the break, but Barcelona’s pressure told when 17-year-old Lamine Yamal teed up Lewandowski to slot home the winner late on – the duo’s third goal combination in six league matches.  

Paris Saint-Germain winger Ousmane Dembele is being tipped to beat Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal to the men’s Ballon d’Or when the award is handed out Monday in Paris. The Théâtre du Châtelet will once again host football’s biggest stars as they await the latest winners of the game’s most prestigious individual prize. For more than a decade, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo dominated the honor, winning it 13 times between 2008 and 2023. That era ended last year when Manchester City’s Rodri lifted the trophy after captaining Spain to Euro 2024 success. With Rodri out of contention following an injury-hit season, Dembele has emerged as the frontrunner among a field heavy with PSG talent. Nine players from the club’s Champions League-winning squad, including Gianluigi Donnarumma, Achraf Hakimi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Nuno Mendes, made the 30-man shortlist. On the women’s side, Aitana Bonmatí is chasing a third consecutive title, though competition is expected to be fierce.

Atletico Madrid’s frustrating start to the La Liga season continued as they dropped more points in a 1-1 draw at Mallorca, rescued by a late equaliser from the hosts. Diego Simeone’s side began brightly despite their midweek Champions League exertions, with Giacomo Raspadori nearly scoring direct from a corner and Pablo Barrios rattling the woodwork. Their pressure was rewarded when a handball by Antonio Raíllo handed Julián Álvarez a chance from the spot, but goalkeeper Leo Roman  produced a brilliant save to keep the game level. Atleti eventually found the breakthrough after sustained dominance, but their inability to kill off the contest proved costly. Mallorca, who struggled for clear chances throughout, capitalised late as Takuma Asano struck to deny the visitors all three points. The result means Mallorca remain winless after five games, while Atletico’s tally of just one victory this season piles further pressure on Simeone’s men.

Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid kept their flawless start to the La Liga campaign intact with a 2-0 victory over Espanyol. It took a moment of brilliance from defender Éder Militão to spark the breakthrough. His powerful long-range strike slipped past goalkeeper Marko Dmitrović’s fingertips. From there, Madrid gradually took control, though Espanyol came close to equalising just before the break when Edu Expósito’s free-kick narrowly evaded Fernando Calero in front of goal. Kylian Mbappe was lively throughout and doubled the advantage, tucking home after a swift Madrid move to seal the result. Vinícius Júnior struck the post from a tight angle late on, but by then the contest was already decided. The win ended Espanyol’s unbeaten start to the season while Madrid, unbeaten in 12 of Alonso’s 13 matches in charge, remain top of the table with 10 victories in their last 11 home games.

 Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has pledged to challenge Marcus Rashford to reach his full potential. The England forward scored twice in Barça’s 2-1 Champions League win at Newcastle on Thursday. This marked his first goals since arriving in Spain. Rashford endured a difficult final season at Old Trafford under Ruben Amorim, who questioned his attitude and work ethic. “I totally believe in his quality, but you always have to work hard and improve every day,” Flick said in Saturday’s press conference. “He has to understand what’s required here, and I’ll push him 100 per cent, while also supporting him.” Barcelona face Getafe on Sunday in La Liga and will be without injured winger Lamine Yamal, increasing the likelihood that Rashford starts again. Flick also downplayed Yamal’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or this year but confirmed the club will attend Monday’s ceremony in Paris, unlike Real Madrid last year. PSG’s Ousmane Dembélé remains the frontrunner for the prize.