What has been going on in LALIGA this past week? Here are 10 of the top stories, from Girona FC becoming league leaders to Nabil Fekir making his return from injury.
So many Spanish football storylines have emerged over the past week, with Girona FC's rise to the top of the LALIGA EA SPORTS table standing out above all of them. Below comes a look at all of the major developments, from the on-pitch action to the various awards and contract renewals.
Girona FC are leaders of LALIGA EA SPORTS
There is a new outright leader of the LALIGA EA SPORTS table following the results of Matchday 12, and it's Girona FC. The Catalan outfit won yet again this past weekend, triumphing 4-2 away at CA Osasuna to move on to 31 points. They are the highest-scoring team in the competition, with 29 goals, and have more than earned the right to be mentioned in the title race conversation.
Rayo Vallecano keep up their unbeaten run
On Sunday night, Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano played out an entertaining 0-0 draw, with the team from Vallecas holding out for a point to mean they've now gone eight LALIGA EA SPORTS matches unbeaten. It was a special moment for Los Franjirrojos, who hadn't taken a point away from the Bernabéu since 2000.
Araújo is the hero for FC Barcelona
The heavyweight clash of Matchday 12 took place in the Basque Country on Saturday night, where Real Sociedad and FC Barcelona faced off. It was a thrilling game, which was decided in stoppage time when Ronald Araújo burst forward to head in a late winner, earning Barça a crucial 1-0 victory that their fans will remember for a long time.
UD Las Palmas are the in-form side in LALIGA EA SPORTS
Another team that achieved a memorable victory this week was UD Las Palmas, with the Canary Islanders conquering Atlético de Madrid 2-1 thanks to goals from Kirian Rodríguez and Benito Ramírez. García Pimienta's side are thriving upon their return to Spain's top tier and no team in the competition has collected more points since the start of October than UD Las Palmas' 12.
Nabil Fekir is back
One of the most skilful talents in LALIGA EA SPORTS is back. Nabil Fekir was substituted on in the 87th minute of Real Betis' 2-0 victory over RCD Mallorca on Saturday, after spending eight months recovering from an ACL injury. It was an emotional moment at the Estadio Benito Villamarín, as the World Cup winner received a standing ovation and was given the captain's armband for his few minutes on the pitch. "It gave me goosebumps," a delighted Fekir said afterwards.
Vinícius and Rodrygo are the future of Real Madrid
It's clear that Vinícius and Rodrygo will be scoring goals for Real Madrid for many years to come, and the two Brazilian forwards each signed a new contract at the club this past week. In the case of Vinícius, he has penned a deal that'll run until 2027. Meanwhile, Rodrygo has signed with the capital city club until 2028.
Bellingham wins his second Player of the Month prize
Jude Bellingham has only been playing in Spain for three months and already he has two LALIGA EA SPORTS Player of the Month prizes to his name. After winning this individual award for his performances in August, he has claimed the October edition too after continuing to shine and after netting four more league goals last month, including his brace in ELCLASICO.
The Kopa Trophy stays in Spain
The LALIGA EA SPORTS Player of the Month award wasn't the only gong that Bellingham picked up this past week, as he also lifted the Kopa Trophy at the Ballon d'Or ceremony held in Paris. By being named the best footballer under the age of 21, this award is staying in Spain, as it was won in each of the previous two years by FC Barcelona's Gavi and Pedri.
We also know the other October LALIGA AWARDS winners
In addition to Bellingham, several others players won honours through the October edition of the 'LALIGA AWARDS, The Pride of our Fútbol', organised as part of the agreement between LALIGA and Globe Soccer. The Best Coach was Atlético de Madrid's Diego Simeone, the Best U-23 Player was Granada CF's Bryan Zaragoza, the Best Goal was UD Las Palmas' Saúl Coco's freekick against Villarreal CF and the Best Play prize went to the Granada CF duo of Gerard Gumbau and Bryan Zaragoza, recognising the goal they combined for in a draw against FC Barcelona.
All 16 LALIGA EA SPORTS teams progress in the Copa del Rey
The first round of the Copa del Rey took place this past midweek, with 16 LALIGA EA SPORTS sides entering the cup competition at this stage. All 16 of them progressed to the next stage, with the next round coming up in December.
