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A disappointing week for La Liga sides in Europe, Valencia the only one of the seven to win after they beat BATE Borisov 4-2 in Wednesday evening's Champions League tie. Jonas and Soldado (from the penalty spot) put the Ches two up in the first half hour, and Feghouli added two more after that to keep their side at the top of their group. Málaga didn't win, but a 1-1 draw at AC Milan on Tuesday (with another goal from Eliseu) ensured them a place in the last sixteen, the first Spanish team to do so. Real Madrid were also held to a 2-2 draw on Tuesday by Borussia Dortmund, Pepe and Özil the scorers, and the following day Barcelona lost 2-1 at Celtic, Messi's injury time strike coming too late to save a first defeat in the competition this year. Both Madrid and Barça are however still well placed to qualify.

Thursday's Europa League results were even worse though, Levante the only Spanish side to get anything out of the day's matches after they drew 0-0 at Twente. Atlético Madrid's sixteen game winning streak in Europe came to an abrupt end after they lost 2-0 to Portugal's Académica Coimbra, and Athletic Bilbao only have a slim chance of making it through to the knock-out stage after they were beaten 2-3 by Olympique Lyon. They did at least put up a good fight though, a strike by Ander Herrera and an Aduríz penalty cancelling out the French team's two goal lead before a third goal by the visitors ended their hopes.

The top three all bounced back on Sunday though to clock up wins which takes them clear of the rest. Barcelona won 2-4 at Mallorca, with Messi scoring two more to take him on to 76 for the season (including goals with Argentina), one more than the record set by Pelé. It seems however that statisticians have now found one higher tally for a calendar year, Germany's Gerd Müller apparently once netting 85 times for Bayern Munich and his country. Still it's only early November… Cristiano Ronaldo also got his name on the scoresheet in Madrid's 1-2 victory at Levante, although a boxer's cut to the eyebrow took him out of the game at half time. B team youngster Morata came on to get the winner though, keeping his side five points behind city rivals Atlético, who beat neighbours Getafe 2-0. For once however Falcao didn't score, the first time he has failed to do so in the Calderón stadium since the beginning of May.

Lots of goals elsewhere as well, with a season high 38 in the ten league games. Iago Aspas scored two for Celta at Rayo, although the locals came back after that, with Leo Baptistao and Piti helping the Madrid based side to a 3-2 win in the end. Postiga netted twice as Zaragoza also came back to beat Deportivo 5-3, but Rubén Castro's strike for Betis was not enough to prevent a 1-2 defeat at the hands of fellow Andalusians Granada. The win takes the pressure off the Granada coach Anquela, although other teams around them also clocked up victories, including Basque sides Athletic Bilbao, Real Sociedad and Osasuna. Susaeta celebrated his first international call up with one of Athletic's goals in a 2-1 win over Sevilla, a late Negredo penalty not sufficient to save anything for the visitors. (13.11.12)

Pichichi League Cup Europe Total (Penalties)
Messi (Barcelona) 15 2 3 20 (2)
Ronaldo (Real Madrid) 12 2 5 19 (4)
Falcao (Atlético) 10 0 3 13 (4)
Aduríz (Athletic Bilbao) 8 0 3 11 (1)
Higuaín (Real Madrid) 7 1 0 8 (0)
Negredo (Sevilla) 7 1 0 8 (3)
Soldado (Valencia) 4 0 4 8 (3)
Hemed (Mallorca) 6 0 0 6 (0)
Postiga (Zaragoza) 6 0 0 6 (0)
David Villa (Barcelona) 5 1 0 6 (0)
Susaeta (Athletic Bilbao) 2 0 4 6 (0)
Rubén Castro (Betis) 5 0 0 5 (0)
Iago Aspas (Celta) 5 0 0 5 (1)
Leo Baptistao (Rayo) 5 0 0 5 (0)
Piti (Rayo Vallecano) 5 0 0 5 (1)
Oscar (Valladolid) 5 0 0 5 (0)
Raúl García (Atlético Madrid) 3 1 1 5 (0)
Fàbregas (Barcelona) 3 1 1 5 (0)
Joaquín (Málaga) 3 0 2 5 (2)
Feghouli (Valencia) 3 0 2 5 (0)
Benzema (Real Madrid) 1 2 2 5 (0)
Jonas (Valencia) 1 1 3 5 (0)