Madrid now move top on goal average from Rayo and Barcelona, who beat Racing de Santander 1-2 in the Sardinero stadium. Van Gaal decided to give a chance to Gabri, leaving Luis Enrique on the bench, and Racing were without new signing Rushfeldt who was suffering from flu. Both Barcelona goals came late in the first half, the first an individual goal from Rivaldo who left four defenders standing before shooting past Ceballos, and the second from Cocu, who placed a header past the keeper from Rivaldo's cross. Barça seemed to have the match tied up, but Racing were awarded a penalty ten minutes from time for a foul by Sergi on Salva, and the Santander forward took the kick himself, sending Hesp the wrong way. Barça hung on however to come away with the three points.

The other Barcelona based side, Espanyol, recorded their first points of the season with a good 3-2 win over Valencia. With Tamudo injured, Brindisi opted to play Paraguayan international Benítez up front with Posse, leaving new signings Casartelli and Roger on the bench. Roger's brother, Oscar was on the Valencia bench, the two being on opposite sides for the first time since their respective transfers from Barcelona. Valencia's manager Hector Cúper was forced to make changes in defence, bringing in Fagiani, Roche and Pellegrino with Carboni suspended for four matches (he didn't help matters by insulting the disciplinary committee) and Bjorklund out for a month through injury. Benítez opened the scoring after 10 minutes, working a clever one-two with Posse, and De Lucas added a second ten minutes later, winning the ball from Djukic on the by-line and racing in to beat Cañizares. Valencia's claims that the ball went out were proved incorrect by TV cameras later. Mendieta pulled one back from the penalty spot just before half time after Cavallero brought down Juan Sánchez, but Espanyol reopened the two goal lead through Posse early in the second half. Sánchez scored a late goal in injury time from Kily Gonzalez's cross, but the final whistle went seconds later. Valencia are now joint bottom with Mallorca and Atlético de Madrid, strangely the three teams who participated in the interchange of managers at the end of last season. All three have European commitments this season and could have problems with their interest divided across several competitions.