📝 In a parallel universe ... Joaquín and Bale steal the show 🇪🇸 | OneFootball

We could have been feasting on a full weekend of LaLiga action if the coronavirus pandemic hadn’t stopped football in its tracks.

Here’s what could have happened if fixtures weren’t suspended…

Destructive derby

The Seville derby dominated all the talk ahead of this weekend and it did not disappoint.

A high-tempo and aggressive encounter was separated by a wonder goal from 38-year old Joaquín in the 93rd minute.

The match saw five red cards, two for Betis and three for Sevilla as emotions took hold.

But it was local hero Joaquín who stole the headlines.

Cutting in from the right-hand side, the winger beat three men before blasting home the ball from 30 yards out.

However, the Ramon Sánchez-Pizjuan was silenced as Joaquín attempted a cartwheel before eventually his body remembered he is 38.

It could be a month out for the veteran – not that he will care about that tonight!

Title race wide open

Does anyone want to win this league?

Barcelona took advantage of Real Madrid’s defeat to Betis last weekend to go top of LaLiga, but it was the turn of Quique Setién’s side to slip up on Sunday.

Real Mallorca climbed out of the relegation zone with a shock 1-0 win over Messi and Co, despite Barça having over 84% of the ball.

Barça fans seemed perplexed that their tactic of relying on former Middlesbrough flop Martin Braithwaite as their main source of goals didn’t pay off.

Bale steals the show

Real Madrid took full advantage of Barça’s defeat to overtake them at the top of LaLiga.

All eyes were on Gareth Bale as the Welshman’s season finally came to life when he bagged a brace in a 3-0 win over Eibar.

However, the 30-year-old’s night was to end early after he was sent off for unveiling a banner with the display ‘Raul. Morientes. Di Stefano’ in that order during the celebrations for his second goal.

Back down to earth for Atleti

Atlético Madrid went into Sunday’s game with Athletic Bilbao bouncing from the Champions League victory over Liverpool.

However, they came crashing back down to earth at the San Mames.

Iñaki Williams and Iker Munian bagged in the first 15 minutes to blast the hosts into an early lead.

Diego Costa took exception to Athletic manager Gaizka Garitano sneezing on him after being substituted after 60 minutes.

Elsewhere …

Real Valladolid added a nail to Leganés’ coffin after running away 2-1 winners at Estadio Municipal de Butarque.

Raúl de Tomás has finally hit his stride at Espanyol, scoring a hat-trick as Espanyol beat Alavés 4-2. Is the great escape on?

Getafe kept up their dream of facing Sheffield United in the Champions League next season by overcoming Granada in a tight and tense game.

Sociedad took advantage of Sevilla dropping points to move up to third, while Valencia’s Champions League hangover continued as they dropped points in the derby at home to Levante.