The European Leagues returned this week, with all the Spanish teams producing good results once again. Barcelona beat Italian champions Juventus 3-0 on Tuesday, Messi netting twice and setting up Rakitic for the third in-between, and Atlético Madrid drew 0-0 at Roma. Double defending champions Real Madrid also won 3-0 on Wednesday, albeit against weaker opposition, APOEL Nicosia, with Ronaldo returning from his forced lay-off to score twice (including a penalty), and Sergio Ramos wrapping things up. And Sevilla drew 2-2 at Liverpool, Ben Yedder giving the Andalusians the lead, and Joaquín Correa saving the draw after the Premier League side had scored twice to overturn the result. The trend continued as well in to Thursday’s Europa League games, Villarreal beating Astana 3-1 with strikes from Sansone, Bakambu and Cheryshev, Real Sociedad winning 4-0 against Rosenborg, Diego Llorente getting two and Zurutuza one to add to an own goal, and Athletic Bilbao drawing 0-0 at Hertha Berlin.

Barcelona made it four wins from four in the weekend league matches, and they distanced themselves from last week’s joint leaders Real Sociedad, who were beaten 1-3 by Real Madrid. With Benzema injured and Ronaldo still suspended, under 21 international Borja Mayoral took advantage of a rare start to open his account, and Gareth Bale helped himself to a house special, forty yard gallop included, after the break. Madrid (who have now equalled the World record of 73 consecutive games scoring) are now fourth, a point behind their hosts and two below second placed Sevilla, Muriel getting the goal in a 0-1 win at Girona. Atlético Madrid are level with their city neighbours though after they beat Málaga 1-0, Griezmann getting his first of the season there. After that though there follows a group of seven teams on six points, headed up by Villarreal, who won 0-3 at Alavés thanks to two strikes from Bakambu and another from Bacca. Joaquín also got a brace for Betis in a 2-1 victory over Deportivo, Fede Cartabia replying for the Galicians, Las Palmas beat sixth placed Athletic 1-0 thanks to a late goal by super-sub Loïc Rémy, and Levante picked up a useful point in a 1-1 draw against city rivals Valencia, Bardhi levelling the scores after Rodrigo had given the visitors the lead. (19.09.17)

Pichichi League Cup ** Europe * Total (Penalties)
Messi (Barcelona) 5 1 2 8 (1)
Aduríz (Athletic) 2 0 3 5 (1)
Maxi Gómez (Celta) 4 0 0 4 (0)
Asensio (Real Madrid) 2 2 0 4 (0)
Ben Yedder (Sevilla) 1 0 3 4 (0)
Juanmi (Real Sociedad) 3 0 0 3 (0)
Bakambu (Villarreal) 2 0 1 3 (0)
Llorente (Real Sociedad) 1 0 2 3 (0)
Ronaldo (Real Madrid) 0 1 2 3 (1)
Correa (Atlético) 2 0 0 2 (0)
Koke (Atlético) 2 0 0 2 (0)
Joaquín (Betis) 2 0 0 2 (0)
Sergio León (Betis) 2 0 0 2 (0)
Cartabia (Deportivo) 2 0 0 2 (0)
Stuani (Girona) 2 0 0 2 (0)
Calleri (Las Palmas) 2 0 0 2 (0)
Rémy (Las Palmas) 2 0 0 2 (0)
Bardhi (Levante) 2 0 0 2 (1)
Ivi (Levante) 2 0 0 2 (1)
Illarramendi (Real Soc) 2 0 0 2 (0)
Willian José (Real Soc) 2 0 0 2 (0)
Ganso (Sevilla) 2 0 0 2 (0)
Bacca (Villarreal) 2 0 0 2 (1)
Muniain (Athletic) 1 0 1 2 (0)
Bale (Real Madrid) 1 0 1 2 (0)
Casemiro (Real Madrid) 1 0 1 2 (0)
Raúl García (Athletic) 0 0 2 2 (0)
Escudero (Sevilla) 0 0 2 2 (0)

* Includes European Super Cup
** Includes Spanish Super Cup