La-Liga Matchweek 4
Matchday 4 of the 2025/26 LaLiga season served up everything fans love about Spanish football: stunning goals, intense derbies, late drama, and powerhouse performances. FC Barcelona made headlines with a ruthless six-goal demolition of Valencia, while Real Madrid had to come from behind to snatch victory away at Real Sociedad.
Elsewhere, Atlético Madrid continued their impressive start, while Alavés pulled off a shock win in the Basque derby. Getafe kept their home form intact, and Levante staged a spirited second-half comeback in a thriller against Betis.
Whether it was comeback draws, defensive masterclasses, or six-goal romps, this weekend’s action showcased the full spectrum of talent across LaLiga. Here's a match-by-match breakdown of all the action from Matchday 4.
Sevilla FC 2–2 Elche CF: A Late Equaliser Seals a Dramatic Draw
Friday’s curtain-raiser saw Sevilla and Elche battle to a thrilling 2–2 draw at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán. Sevilla took the lead early on, but Elche hit back just before the break. The second half was a rollercoaster, with both sides pushing forward in search of a winner. Sevilla looked to have snatched all three points with a well-crafted goal in the 78th minute, but Elche showed resilience to equalise late on.
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Despite dominating possession, Sevilla struggled to convert chances into goals. Elche, meanwhile, were clinical when it mattered most. The result leaves Sevilla searching for consistency, while Elche continue to show they won’t roll over for anyone this season. An entertaining clash that ended with honours even.
Getafe CF 2–0 Real Oviedo: A Confident Home Win for the Azulones
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Getafe made it back-to-back home wins with a solid 2–0 victory over Real Oviedo. The hosts were dominant from the first whistle, pressing high and controlling the tempo. Their opener came from a sweeping move down the right and a cool finish from the edge of the box.
Oviedo, in their first season back in LaLiga, struggled to find rhythm and were second-best in midfield. Getafe added a second midway through the second half to secure the points. It was a performance built on tactical discipline and defensive structure. With this result, Getafe climb into the top half of the table. Oviedo, meanwhile, remain near the bottom and must adapt quickly if they are to stay in the top flight.
Real Sociedad 1–2 Real Madrid: Champions Respond to Early Scare
Real Madrid showed why they’re title contenders by coming from behind to beat a spirited Real Sociedad 2–1. The hosts shocked Madrid early with a precise header to go 1–0 up. But Los Blancos responded with calm possession and a moment of brilliance to equalise before halftime.
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The second half saw Madrid raise their intensity, and a quick counterattack gave them the lead. Jude Bellingham played a crucial role once again, controlling the midfield and driving his team forward. Sociedad pushed for a late equaliser but couldn't break through. Madrid’s experience and quality saw them through a tough away fixture. It wasn't pretty, but it was effective.
Athletic Club 0–1 Deportivo Alavés: Alavés Shock Rivals in the Basque Derby
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In one of the surprises of the weekend, Deportivo Alavés defeated Athletic Club 1–0 at San Mamés. Despite having less of the ball, Alavés looked more dangerous on the break. A sensational strike from distance just before halftime proved to be the match-winner.
Athletic pushed hard in the second half but were met with a resilient Alavés defence. The visitors’ goalkeeper delivered a standout performance with several crucial saves. It’s a massive win for Alavés both in terms of points and regional pride. Athletic’s wastefulness in front of goal cost them dearly. Alavés, meanwhile, proved that discipline and belief can topple stronger opponents.
Atlético de Madrid 2–0 Villarreal CF: Simeone’s Side Stay Ruthless
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Atlético Madrid continued their strong start to the season with a clinical 2–0 win over Villarreal. A set-piece goal in the first half set the tone for another classic Simeone performance: compact, aggressive, and efficient. The second goal came shortly after the break, giving Atleti full control of the match.
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Villarreal failed to impose themselves and looked toothless in attack. Antoine Griezmann was everywhere—pressing, creating, and leading by example. The win keeps Atlético right on the heels of Real Madrid and Barcelona. Villarreal, on the other hand, are struggling to find their rhythm and consistency.
Celta Vigo 1–1 Girona FC: Stalemate in a Balanced Encounter
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Celta and Girona shared the points in a well-balanced 1–1 draw in Vigo. Girona struck first with a tidy finish after a slick move down the left. But Celta levelled just before the interval with a curling shot from outside the box.
The second half saw both sides create chances but lack the clinical edge to win it. Girona’s goalkeeper made a couple of crucial saves late on to preserve the draw. Both managers will feel it was a fair result based on the overall flow of the game. Celta remain mid-table, while Girona continue their solid start to the season. A competitive match between two well-drilled teams.
Levante UD 2–2 Real Betis: Comeback Kings Strike Again
Levante produced a stirring second-half comeback to earn a 2–2 draw against Real Betis. The visitors dominated the first half and were 2–0 up by the 30-minute mark. But Levante responded with renewed energy after the break and got their reward with a quick goal.
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The equaliser came late in dramatic fashion, sending the home crowd into raptures. Betis will feel they let two points slip after controlling much of the game. Levante’s spirit and fight continue to impress in their return to the top flight. A thrilling contest that had everything: goals, drama, and a packed stadium roaring until the end.
CA Osasuna 2–0 Rayo Vallecano: Osasuna Cruise to Victory at Home
Osasuna bounced back in style with a 2–0 win over a flat Rayo Vallecano side. The hosts dominated from kickoff, pressing aggressively and creating early chances. Their first goal came from a sweeping team move finished off with composure.
Rayo never really found their footing and were outmatched physically and tactically. Osasuna doubled their lead in the second half, controlling the match from then on. Their defence was rock solid, leaving Rayo with very little to build from. A complete performance from the home side, who are quietly climbing the table.
FC Barcelona 6–0 Valencia CF: Total Domination at the Estadi Olímpic
Barcelona were simply unstoppable in their 6–0 thrashing of Valencia. Robert Lewandowski was the star of the show, scoring a hat-trick and leading the line with authority. Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal dazzled again, adding a goal and two assists in an electrifying performance.
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Valencia were overwhelmed from the start and couldn’t cope with Barça’s pace and passing. Xavi’s side pressed relentlessly and maintained their intensity even with a comfortable lead. The result sends a clear warning to the rest of LaLiga: Barcelona mean business this season. For Valencia, this was a night to forget. It’s their worst defeat in years and exposes serious issues in both defence and mentality.
RCD Espanyol vs RCD Mallorca: Monday Night Duel to Close the Round
The final match of Matchday 4 sees Espanyol host Mallorca in Barcelona. Both sides are hovering around mid-table and looking to kickstart their campaigns. Espanyol will hope their home crowd gives them the edge, while Mallorca will aim to frustrate and counter.
Neither side has found consistent form yet, but both have the talent to challenge for top-half finishes. The midfield battle could prove crucial in this one, with possession expected to be tightly contested. A win for either team would provide much-needed momentum. It’s a low-key fixture on paper, but both clubs know the importance of these early-season clashes.
