The two legs of the last sixteen of the cup took place over the last fortnight, with Atlético Madrid the only big team to fall by the wayside after they were knocked out by Girona on the away goal rule, even though Griezmann scored in both legs. Defending champions Barcelona also had some problems after losing to Levante in the first leg, although Dembélé and Messi saw them through in the Nou Camp.

In the week 19 league games, Barcelona stay five points clear at the top after a 3-0 win over Eibar. Messi got his 400th league goal, the first player ever to reach that mark in Spain, and Luis Suárez scoring the other two. Atlético stay second after a 1-0 victory over Levante, Griezmann getting the goal there from the penalty spot. Also worthy of note was Raúl De Tomás’s hat-trick for Rayo against Celta. The striker is on loan from Real Madrid. Maybe they should ask for him back?

Messi started on the bench for the week 20 match against Leganés, but he was needed in the end, coming on to set up Luis Suárez and then score himself in a 3-1 win. Atlético beat Huesca 0-3 to stay second, and Real Madrid move ahead of Sevilla to third after beating the Andalusians 2-0 on Saturday. Getafe are also in the running for the European spots after they beat Alavés 4-0, with Mata and Jorge Molina getting a brace each. (22.01.19)

Pichichi League Cup ** Europe * Total (Penalties)
Messi (Barcelona) 18 1 6 25 (1)
Ben Yedder (Sevilla) 9 1 6 16 (0)
Luis Suárez (Barcelona) 15 0 0 15 (2)
Griezmann (Atlético) 9 2 4 15 (3)
Sarabia (Sevilla) 6 1 7 14 (1)
Stuani (Girona) 12 1 0 13 (2)
Dembélé (Barcelona) 8 3 2 13 (0)
Benzema (Real Madrid) 7 1 4 12 (1)
Iago Aspas (Celta) 10 1 0 11 (0)
Borja Iglesias (Espanyol) 9 2 0 11 (1)
Ekambi (Villarreal) 3 5 3 11 (0)
André Silva (Sevilla) 8 2 0 10 (0)
Angel (Getafe) 5 5 0 10 (1)
Bale (Real Madrid) 4 0 6 10 (0)
Maxi Gómez (Celta) 9 0 0 9 (0)
Roger (Levante) 9 0 0 9 (1)
Williams (Athletic) 7 2 0 9 (0)
Molina (Getafe) 8 0 0 8 (0)
Raúl De Tomás (Rayo) 8 0 0 8 (0)
Charles (Eibar) 7 1 0 8 (4)
Mata (Getafe) 6 2 0 8 (2)
Bacca (Villarreal) 4 3 1 8 (1)
Lo Celso (Betis) 4 1 3 8 (1)
Banega (Sevilla) 3 0 5 8 (5)
Santi Mina (Valencia) 2 4 2 8 (0)

* Includes European Super Cup
** Includes Spanish Super Cup