Luis Suarez’ hattrick against Eibar has set up the upcoming El Clasico nicely for Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Both teams are level on points at the top of the table and will be looking to take charge of the title race with a vital win.
Luis Enrique’s side was reduced to 10 men after Javier Mascherano was sent off. Without Lionel Messi, Barcelona struggled initially.
However the former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez responded with a stunning hattrick which sealed the three points for the Champions.
Elsewhere Atletico Madrid beat Valencia 2-1 thanks to a soulless first half display from the away side. Griezmann and Carrasco ran the show as Simeone’s side piled further pressure on the league leaders Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Unai Emery and Sevilla bounced back in style as the Andalusians thumped Getafe 5-0 as French striker Kevin Gamiero scored a hattrick.
La Liga 2015: Results
Rayo 3-0 Espanyol
Celta Vigo 1-3 Real Madrid
Granada 1-1 R. Betis
Sevilla 5-0 Getafe
Malaga 2-0 Deportivo
Levante 0-4 R. Sociedad
Las Palmas 0-0 Villarreal
FC Barcelona 3-1 Eibar
Atletico Madrid 2-1 Valencia
Athletic vs Sporting TBD
La Liga 2015: League table
La Liga 2015: Top Scorers
Neymar (Barcelona) – 8
Luis Suarez (Barcelona) – 7
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) – 7
Nolito (Celta Vigo) – 7
Benzema (Real Madrid) – 6
Agirretxe (Sociedad) – 6
Baston (Eibar) – 6
Javi Guerra (Rayo) – 6
Aduriz (Athletic) – 5
Gameiro (Sevilla) – 5
La Liga 2015: Highlights
Barcelona need to fix their defence in order to defend the title
The Champions are level on points with league leaders Real Madrid. Despite their wins, the Catalan giants have been unconvincing and have conceded in most of their games. Last season their impressive form at the back guided them to a treble and without Lionel Messi in the side, Barcelona will have to stop leaking goals.
Mascherano was sent off for dissent, never mind that Eibar players have been assaulting Barça players for 90 minutes.
— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) October 25, 2015
Luis Enrique: “Suarez is an irreplaceable player, even if he doesn’t score, because he gives so much to the team.” #fcblive
— barcastuff (@barcastuff) October 25, 2015
Barcelona have now failed to keep a clean sheet in 7 consecutive La Liga games, conceding 12 goals in the process. pic.twitter.com/LvUbqgwIhE
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) October 25, 2015
Atletico Madrid are back to their best
Diego Simeone hailed #AtleticoMadrid’s win vs #Valencia “one of our best in recent memory” https://t.co/q7AaGzgJz2 pic.twitter.com/gLq73ShzPL
— footballespana (@footballespana_) October 26, 2015
Diego Simeone’s side looked unplayable against Valencia and is only two points behind Barcelona and Real Madrid. If both sides drop points in the upcoming El Clasico, Atletico are well truly back in the mix for the title.
The likes of Griezmann are in unstoppable form and the Madrid club will turn on the heat if the big two falter next week.
Golazo de Ferreira-Carrasco para el 2-0 del @Atleti a @valencia
https://t.co/QtFq8iDL5b
— WPT (@WafflesxTodos) October 25, 2015
Rafa Benitez is solid yet unspectacular
Real Madrid picked up three vital points against Celta Vigo ahead of the El Clasico next week. Celta have been a tough side to beat this season and the likes of Barcelona have already tasted defeat against them. Rafa Benitez organised his team specifically to counter Celta’s strengths and his side were efficient.
Benitez’s teams are famous for grinding out unspectacular wins in tough circumstances and that is exactly what Real Madrid did against Celta.
Real Madrid have 6 wins & 3 draws so far in #LigaBBVA 2015/16 & remain the only unbeaten side in Spain! pic.twitter.com/toCtwkTfL3
— M.A.J (@UltraSuristic) October 26, 2015
Only Athletic Bilbao & Atlético Madrid have managed to score against Real Madrid – just 2 goals in 11 games. pic.twitter.com/hnGWD9xFpg
— RMadridHome (@RMadridHome) October 23, 2015
Add Sportslens to your Google News Feed!