With the 2025-26 La Liga campaign underway in earnest, several themes have already emerged in the early portion of the season. Real Madrid is looking to find its footing, but Xabi Alonso has the club off to a hot start. Barcelona is tinkering with its lineup as it appears poised to challenge for the league crown once again, whereas Atletico Madrid is sputtering to start the season.
Outside of those clubs, there was a healthy portion of activity across the Spanish league this weekend as well.
Late goal for Celta Vigo pulls club level with Villareal
Though it seemed far from probable at the time, Borja Iglesias ‘ late-game heroics secured a point for Celta Vigo on Sunday. In a match set for five minutes of stoppage time to wrap up the fixture, Celta Vigo sent a hopeful ball into the Villareal box before it was headed back across the goal for a poised and waiting Iglesias. From there, Iglesias headed the ball into Villareal’s net, nabbing an unlikely point for Celta Vigo in the process.
Earlier in the match, Villareal took a 1-0 lead in the 53rd minute when Nicolas Pepe combined with Etta Eyong for a clever give-and-go at the top of the Celta Vigo box. Pepe began the interplay, Eyong received the ball in a hold-up role before sending the return pass to a streaking Pepe who went near-post for the match’s opening goal.
What a goal from Nicolas Pepe (30) as he scores his 2nd league goal of the season to give Villarreal the 1-0 lead away from home against Celta Vigo ⚽️🇨🇮
— LaLigaExtra (@LaLigaExtra) August 31, 2025
Etta Eyong (21) gets his second league assist of the season with the layoff 🪄🇨🇲
pic.twitter.com/oeqxu9ipd9
Athletic Club takes three points from Real Betis
After a scoreless first half, Athletic Club and Real Betis were embroiled in a tight contest during matchday three. Both clubs are expected to compete for generally similar European places in the La Liga table this season, so the league rivals both had a lot to gain from the match.
Athletic Club was the first to gain an edge on the scoreboard, but this was the result of a dreadful Betis error. Athletic Club was retrieving the ball along the left flank and centered the play before Marc Barta attempted a clearance, one that ended in the back of the Betis net.
📸 - MARC BARTRA'S OWN-GOAL VS. ATHLETIC CLUB! UNLUCKY THERE! pic.twitter.com/8yzjZtFIOQ
— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) August 31, 2025
In the 85th minute, Robert Navarro collected an over-kicked corner for Athletic Club before sending the ball into the box himself. The ball skimmed off a Betis defender’s head before reaching Aitor Paredes, who headed the ball into the Betis net for a 2-0 lead.
READ MORE: Real Madrid takes share of La Liga lead with Guler, Vini Jr. goals against Mallorca
Near the end of the match, Cedric Bakambu deposited an easy header into the Athletic Club net after four minutes of stoppage time, but it did not have an impact on the eventual result. Athletic Club collected three points in the 2-1 victory and moved into a joint-tie at the top of the La Liga table with nine points overall.
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