La Liga: Real Madrid maintain perfect start; Barcelona down Sevilla
Real Madrid made it four wins from four with victory over Real Betis while Robert Lewandowski scored again as Barcelona defeated Sevilla 3-0 in LaLiga on Saturday,
Vinicius Jr had opened the scoring in the first half but his goal was cancelled out by Sergio Canales for Betis, who also came into the fixture at the Santiago Bernabeu with nine points from nine in the league.
However, Rodrygo’s 65th minute goal ensured Madrid were the only team with their 100% record in tact when the final whistle blew.
Madrid struck first in the ninth minute when the in-form Vinicius lifted the ball over goalkeeper Rui Silva after beating Betis’ offside trap.
Betis were level in the 17th minute, though, when Borja Iglesias’ cushioned pass from a long throw teed Canales up to score through Thibaut Courtois’ legs.
Both teams had chances in an entertaining game, with a special mention to Rui Silva’s save from Aurélien Tchouaméni’s header.
Madrid went on to seal the three points in the second half when Rodrygo turned home after good work from substitute Federico Valverde.
In the soaring Madrid summer heat, Betis struggled to trouble Real late on and Carlo Ancelotti’s side held on to tighten their early grip on the top spot.
New summer arrivals Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski were on the scoresheet as Barcelona closed the gap on rivals Real Madrid at the top of LaLiga.
After the blockbuster signings handed Barcelona a 2-0 lead at half-time, defender Eric Garcia netted in the 50th minute to all but seal all three points.
The Spanish giants, who remain unbeaten, climbed to second in the division after keeping a third league clean sheet of the season, as Lewandowski netted his sixth league goal since joining from Bayern Munich this summer.
Atletico Madrid drew 1-1 at Real Sociedad as Nigeria striker Umar Sadiq scored on his debut for the hosts.
Alvaro Morata swept in at a corner in the fifth minute, but Sadiq headed home a second-half equaliser following his arrival from Almeria.
The 25-year-old joined Sociedad on transfer deadline day as a replacement for Sweden forward Alexander Isak, signed by Newcastle last week for a reported £58 million.
More concerningly for Atletico, goalkeeper Jan Oblak was forced off with a leg injury late on.
Mallorca and Girona drew 1-1 in the early game.
