The Spanish La Liga ignited with passion over the weekend of August 22-24, 2025, as the domestic league returned for its second matchday.
Overall, La Liga delivered a mix of dominant victories, tense draws, and early-season drama that sets the stage for an enthralling 2025-26 campaign.
Fans witnessed stellar individual performances and tactical masterclasses as teams battled for position in matchday 2.
Moreover, the results highlighted emerging patterns, with traditional powerhouses asserting dominance while underdogs showed resilience.
In particular, Real Madrid’s clash with newly promoted Real Oviedo stole the spotlight. That said, FC Barcelona and Atlético Madrid also commanded attention with their displays.
Overall, this weekend not only entertained but also fuelled speculation about title contenders and individuals who could scoop accolades at the end of the season.
Mbappé’s Scorching Form: Three Goals in Two Games – On Track for Back-to-Back Golden Boots?
Kylian Mbappé electrified La Liga once again, netting three goals across his first two appearances in the 2025-26 season.
The French superstar, who clinched the Pichichi Trophy last season with 31 goals—four more than his nearest rival, Robert Lewandowski—continues to dismantle defences with blistering pace and clinical finishing.
In Real Madrid’s opener against Osasuna, Mbappé slotted home a crucial penalty goal, showcasing his composure under immense pressure in Xabi Alonso’s first game at the Santiago Bernabeu. In the clash against Real Oviedo, Mbappé unleashed a stunning double, blending sharp positioning with ferocious shots to drive his team to victory.
As a result, pundits buzz about his potential to repeat as top scorer.
Will Mbappé win the Golden Boot in consecutive seasons? Early indicators scream yes. His expected goals per 90 minutes show his efficiency. However, challenges loom: Barcelona’s Ferran Torres and emerging talents like Villarreal’s Tajon Buchanan pose threats.
Yet, with an impressive tally of 191 Ligue 1 goals and 31 in La Liga last season, Mbappé stands as the clear favourite to lead the scoring charts.
If he maintains this form, adapting to Madrid’s star-studded attack alongside Vinicius Jr, Rodrigo, and Jude Bellingham, back-to-back triumphs seem inevitable.
In addition, his hunger for silverware after seeing former team Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) win the UEFA Champions League (UCL) in the 2024/25 season drives him. This makes him a pivotal force in Madrid’s title bid.
Spotlight on Real Oviedo vs. Real Madrid La Liga Game: A One-Sided Affair
Real Madrid stormed into Estadio Carlos Tartiere on Sunday, August 24. Los Blancos dismantled Real Oviedo 3-0 in a match that exemplified their ruthless efficiency.
Oviedo, recently promoted and eager to make a lasting impression, bravely fought against Real Madrid’s relentless assault.
Mbappé opened the scoring in the 37th minute with a precise finish, then doubled his tally late on. Vinicius Jr. haven’t had a quiet season after the Ballon d’Or snub in 2024, sealed the win in stoppage time with a dazzling effort. Madrid secured maximum points, and the victory has boosted their goal difference early on in the season, as they are yet to concede.
This encounter highlighted Oviedo’s struggles against elite opposition, as they registered just three shots on target.
Meanwhile, Madrid’s midfield, orchestrated by Valverde, Tchouameni, Rodrigo, and Guler, dominated possession at 65%. This created several chances with the team registering 10 chances on target which 30% ending in the back of the net.
As a transitional note, this victory not only propelled Madrid up the table but also showed their squad depth, with bench warmers like Arda Guler and Dani Ceballos injecting fresh energy.
FC Barcelona’s Thrilling Victory: Resilience on Display
On Saturday, August 23, FC Barcelona edged out Levante in a thrilling 3-2 victory on the road. This kept their flawless record intact.
The Catalans, under Hansi Flick’s guidance, exploded late on after conceding two early goals in the first half. Within 10 minutes of the second half starting, FC Barcelona equalised with goals from Pedri and Ferran Torres. However, a late own goal by Unai Elgezabal during injury time gave Barcelona the victory.
This performance revealed Barcelona’s attacking flair. Despite the positives, it also exposed defensive vulnerabilities, as the team suffered greatly from Inigo Martinez’s absence.
As defending champions, Barcelona’s ability to grind out results against stubborn foes like Levante positions them strongly.
Atlético Madrid Showing Signs of Collapse
On Saturday, Atlético Madrid and Elche played out a 1-1 draw at the Metropolitano Stadium.
Diego Simeone’s side struck early through Alexander Sorloth in the 9th minute. A lack of concentration led to Elche’s equaliser through Rafael Mir. This leaves ATM with a single point on the La Liga table after the team suffered a 2-1 loss at the hands of Espanyol on matchday one.
Emerging Title Challengers: Beyond the Big Three
While Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atlético dominate predictions, other teams eye upsets.
The Opta supercomputer forecasts Barcelona edging Madrid, with Atlético third, but early results suggest more.
On Sunday, Villarreal defeated Girona 5-0, led by Tajon Buchanan’s hat-trick. With six points from two games, Villareal now shares the top spot with Madrid and Barcelona. Villareal defeated Real Oviedo 2-0 in their opening La Liga game of the season.
Real Sociedad battled to a 2-2 stalemate against Espanyol, flashing potential but craving stability.
While Opta has favoured FC Barcelona, several artificial intelligence (AI) predictions tip Real Madrid to lead by 90–95 points. They made this decision based on their recent signings and their desire to regain their title.
Real Betis’ 1-0 win over Alaves on Friday hints at early mid-table threats. As the season progresses, these challengers could capitalise on slip-ups from the giants and surprise many analysts.
La Liga Weekend Highlights and Early Standings
Among other standout outcomes, Osasuna stunned Valencia with a 1-0 victory, while Mallorca fought to a 1-1 draw against Celta Vigo.
As of August 25, standings show Villareal, Barcelona, and Real Madrid tied at six points. Perennial favourites lagged far behind after two games, promising a competitive season. With Mbappé excelling and Buchanan establishing himself in La Liga, La Liga fans should anticipate exciting developments.
In summary, the August 22-24 action blended spectacle and strategy, laying foundations for a memorable year.
Whether Mbappé claims another golden boot or a surprise contender emerges, the beautiful game thrives in Spain.
