Sevilla dominate the first Pichichi table of the season, logical as they had already played five official games before the league season kicked off. Sarabia in particular has been in excellent form, scoring five in the four Europa League qualifiers and one in the Spanish Super Cup, even though they lost that in the end to Barcelona (Piqué and Dembélé the scorers for Barça). Nolito also got two in the E-League and Franco Vázquez scored one in that competition and one in the league at the weekend, and new signing André Silva also got in on the act with a hat-trick on his league debut, the first person to do that since Barcelona’s Romario did so some 25 years ago.

The other match involving Spanish sides prior to the league start was of course between the two Madrid teams in the European Super Cup, Atlético for once getting the edge over Real, Diego Costa scoring two as the Europa League champions won 4-2 after extra time. A Benzema header and a Ramos penalty had turned the scoreline around, but late strikes by Saúl and Koke won it for Simeone’s side.

Ronaldo has of course moved on this summer, leaving Messi without his eternal rival. Not that that worried him though as he scored twice in Barcelona’s 3-0 win over Alavés, the first a cheeky free kick under the defensive wall for his club’s 6,000 th goal in the league. As it happened, Messi got the 5,000 th as well some nine years ago! Two other players scored braces in the opening weekend as well, Levante’s “El Comandante” Morales, and Huesca’s Alex Gallar, who led his team to victory over Eibar in their first ever game in the top flight! (21.08.18)

Pichichi League Cup ** Europe * Total (Penalties)
Sarabia (Sevilla) 0 1 5 6 (0)
André Silva (Sevilla) 3 0 0 3 (0)
Messi (Barcelona) 2 0 0 2 (0)
Alex Gallar (Huesca) 2 0 0 2 (0)
Morales (Levante) 2 0 0 2 (0)
Vázquez (Sevilla) 1 0 1 2 (0)
Diego Costa (Atlético) 0 0 2 2 (0)
Nolito (Sevilla) 0 0 2 2 (0)

* Includes European Super Cup
** Includes Spanish Super Cup