La Liga Weekly: Barcelona held at Granada, Real Madrid win in style, Atletico beat Sociedad | OneFootball

It was another week of twists and turns in La Liga, and the table is starting to take some shape after almost a quarter of the season gone.

Here’s a look at all the results from Spain’s top-flight on Matchday 9.

Bellingham the hero again in Osasuna rout

Jude Bellingham’s fairytale start to life in a Real Madrid shirt continued, as the Englishman netted twice in their 4-0 win over Osasuna on Saturday.

Federico Valverde also put in a sterling performance, providing two assists and conducting proceedings throughout the game.

Madrid were in cruise control right from the start, taking the lead in the 10th minute through Bellingham. Bellingham, Vinicius Jr and Joselu scored after the break.

The only blemish on the day for Carlo Ancelotti’s men was a missed penalty late on by Joselu, but this was well after the three points had been secured.

Madrid lead the pack with 24 points after nine games.

Granada survive late Barcelona onslaught

Barcelona staged a spirited comeback but were unable to take all three points in a 2-2 draw away at 19th-placed Granada.

The hosts looked to be on course for a major upset when they took a 2-0 inside the first half an hour.

Barcelona dominated possession, but Granada were quick on the counter-attack. Both goals were scored by striker Bryan Zaragoza.

Xavi’s side were not going to go down without a fight, and Lamine Yamal pulled a goal back in first-half stoppage time. The Spaniard became the youngest goalscorer ever in the club’s history at 16 years and 87 days old.

The second half was dominated by the visitors, but they could not find the spaces to play through Granada’s compact low block.

Gavi and Ronald Araujo spurned chances, but the equaliser finally arrived with five minutes remaining. Alex Balde found space down the left and crossed for substitute Sergi Roberto to poke home.

Granada almost scored a dramatic winner just seconds later, but Zaragoza was denied a memorable hat-trick when his effort came back off the post.

Barcelona thought they had won the game when Joao Felix ghosted in at the back post to meet a cross from Joao Cancelo.

The Portuguese scored and wheeled away in fervent celebration, only to be brought down to the earth by the offside flag.

Replays showed that Felix was onside, but Ferran Torres was in an offside position and deemed to be interfering with play.

Atletico Madrid overcome Real Sociedad in thrilling encounter

In the clash between the two in-form sides going into the weekend, it was Atletico Madrid who scored a late winner to beat Real Sociedad 2-1 at the Metropolitano Stadium.

Both teams came into this game on the back of three consecutive wins, with just one point separating them in the table.

The home side broke the deadlock after 22 minutes when a ball over the Sociedad defence by Koke found wing-back Samuel Lino. The Brazilian kept his composure to finish past Alex Remiro at the near post.

Atletico could have doubled their lead before the break, but Rodrigo De Paul’s curling shot came back off the post, with Remiro well-beaten.

Seconds into the second half, Axel Witsel was three yards away from goal whilst meeting a free-kick from Antoine Griezmann. The Belgian fluffed his lines, with his tame effort hitting the woodwork.

It was then Sociedad’s turn to flirt with fortune, as Mikel Oyarzabal unleashed a low drive which thundered back off the post.

The equaliser for La Real came in the 73rd minute when substitute Carlos Fernandez played an exquisite pass to put Oyarzabal through. The Spaniard’s finish past Jan Oblak was never in doubt.

A draw would have been a fair result between these two sides, but there was a final twist to the tale, with just a couple of minutes to play.

Griezmann’s shot hit a prone Fernandez on the hand, and a penalty was given. Atleti’s French striker sent Remiro the wrong way to give Diego Simeone’s men all maximum points and a fourth straight win.

Las Palmas stun Villarreal to climb into top half

Las Palmas’ early signs of promise, with their expressive and open football, are finally beginning to bear fruit.

Garcia Pimienta’s side came away from the Estadio de la Ceramica with an impressive 2-1 victory over Villarreal on Sunday. This was Las Palmas’ second consecutive victory, helping them climb to 10th in the table.

The deadlock was broken by the visitors in first-half injury-time when Saul Coco struck an absolute howitzer of a free-kick from 35 yards out into the corner.

A handball offence inside the box by Villarreal defender Aissa Mandi gave Las Palmas the chance to go 2-0 up after the break. Marc Cardona dispatched the spot-kick with the minimum of fuss.

Villarreal’s consolation came in the second minute of stoppage-time, through substitute Gerard Moreno’s incredible long-range solo effort.

The Yellow Submarine are in 16th place after this result, and things are looking murky at the club. Despite sacking Quique Setien last month, results haven’t improved under Pacheta.

Around the grounds

Girona continue to surprise and remain second in the table following a 1-0 victory against ten-man Cadiz. Aleix Garcia scored the only goal of the game, four minutes short of the hour mark.

Athletic Bilbao comfortably dispatched bottom-club Almeria 3-0 at home, with goals from Gorka Guruzeta, Dani Garcia and Oihan Sancet.

Celta Vigo’s search for a victory continues, as they could not put away ten-man Getafe at home.

Rafael Benitez’s side twice came back from a goal down but couldn’t net the winner despite playing for an hour with their opponents a man short.

Celta remain in the relegation zone, with only six points from their nine games.

Sevilla waged a second-half comeback at home to Rayo Vallecano but needed a 96th-minute equaliser from Youssef El-Nessyri to salvage a 2-2 draw.

Mallorca and Valencia, along with Alaves and Real Betis, played out 1-1 draws.

Player of the week

The player of the week for Gameweek 9 is Granada’s Bryan Zaragoza. The striker had scraps to feed on all game, with Barcelona dominating most of the possession.

However, he made the most of the chances, displaying skill and composure to score goals. He could have easily had a hat-trick, with his late effort coming back off the post.

Zaragoza will play a significant role in Granada’s campaign, with the club set to be embroiled in a hard-fought relegation battle.

Looking ahead

Following the international break next weekend, La Liga football will resume on October 20.

Barcelona have a tough assignment as they host fifth-placed Athletic Bilbao.

Celta’s route isn’t getting any easier, as they are at home to in-form Atletico Madrid.

Sevilla host Madrid, while Girona have a great chance to continue their dream start at home against 20th-placed Almeria.

Key Links