Barcelona stay perfect as Real Madrid edge Villarreal despite Vinicius Jr red card

Barcelona maintained their perfect start to the LaLiga season with a 3-0 victory over Getafe, while Real Madrid held on to beat Villarreal 1-0 despite playing the final 20 minutes with 10 men.

Atletico Madrid also claimed a late 2-1 win at Deportivo Alaves on Saturday to remain second in the table. Across the three matches, seven goals were scored and two red cards shown.

Barcelona equal club record

Barcelona took the lead against Getafe in the second minute when Anthony Gordon’s run was not stopped by the visitors’ defence and his shot from the edge of the area took a deflection on its way into the net.

Eric Garcia and Gavi then saw efforts saved by David Soria before Gabriel Jesus doubled the advantage after dispossessing Zaid Romero shortly before the half-hour mark.

Getafe threatened after the break when Johan Modica’s long-range effort brushed the crossbar in the 49th minute, but Barcelona soon regained control. The hosts enjoyed close to 85% possession, with Dani Olmo and Gabriel Jesus both testing Soria.

Jules Kounde completed the scoring in the 73rd minute with a close-range finish from Lamine Yamal’s cross. Yamal later went close himself when his curling effort missed by inches.

The result gave Barcelona eight consecutive wins at the start of a season, equalling the club record. Getafe remain 13th.

“I feel very good with the way people have welcomed me,” said Gordon, who scored his first goal for the club.

“It’s so good. My family and I are very happy. We’ve made a good start, but I can do more and more. Hopefully this will be the first of many goals.”

Diomande gives Madrid narrow victory

Real Madrid made a bright start against Villarreal, with Arder Guler and Alex Carreras creating an opportunity for Kylian Mbappe, who missed the target in the sixth minute.

Mbappe then collected a long pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold in the 20th minute, but Peter Gulacsi saved his effort as the teams went into half-time level.

The breakthrough arrived in the 63rd minute when Yan Diomande finished after a strong run, dribble and assist from captain Federico Valverde.

Madrid believed they had scored again five minutes later, but the effort was disallowed after Vinicius Jr was judged to have committed a serious offence in the build-up. He was also sent off.

Georges Mikautadze had Villarreal’s best late chance, but his effort in the 87th minute was comfortably collected by Thibaut Courtois.

“I’m happy. I’ve been waiting for that first goal for a long time,” said Diomande.

“I’m glad, both for myself and for the team. In that position, I think the only option was to control, turn, and shoot.”

Real Madrid move up to third, with Villarreal 10th.

Romero settles Atletico contest

Atletico Madrid kept second place with a 2-1 win at Estadio de Mendizorroza.

The opening half began cautiously before Atletico took the lead through Alex Grimaldo, whose low shot followed a pass from Jonathan David.

Deportivo Alaves were awarded a penalty just before half-time after Robin Le Normand conceded a foul. Lucas Boye converted to level the match.

Alaves were reduced to 10 men in the 60th minute when Angel Hidalgo was dismissed for a reckless challenge on Julian Alvarez.

After both sides made several substitutions in search of a winner, Cristian Romero headed Atletico in front in the 87th minute to secure three points.