BARÇA AND MADRID LEVEL ATOP LALIGA | LALIGA: MATCHDAY 12 RECAP, Lionel Messi continued his incredible start to the La Liga season by matching Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of 34 hat-tricks with three fantastic goals against Celta de Vigo, International Champions Cup. Official website

Lionel Messi continued his incredible start to the La Liga season by matching Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of 34 hat-tricks with three fantastic goals against Celta de Vigo. The Argentinian Magician has willed and at times had to drag his FC Barcelona side to the top of the league in a tightly contested race for first place. Real Madrid find themselves in second, only due to goal difference, while Atlético de Madrid and Sevilla trail the leaders by just a point. 

Elsewhere in Spain, Sevilla put a bow on their latest unbeaten streak with a win in one of Spain’s fiercest derbies, Madrid’s most hyped summer signing finds his footing against Eibar and more. 

Here’s everything you missed during Matchday 13 in Spain:  

Top 3 Matchday 13 Talking Points

• Sevilla get the better of Betis: While Sevilla had gone undefeated in their past six matches, they knew their derby with local rivals Real Betis would be unlike any game they had played all season. Even though Betis sat just above the relegation zone, they had drawn with Real Madrid 0-0 in the Bernabèu the week prior and were absolutely desperate for a win and some momentum to jump start their season. Sevilla forward Luuk De Jong made sure that didn’t happen with his go-ahead goal in the 55’ minute which won the game for his team, 2-1. The victory gave Sevilla manager Julen Lopetegui his first taste of Sevillian derby glory. It’s been a tough couple of years for Lopetegui who was relieved of his duties at the helm of both Real Madrid and the Spanish National Team in 2018, but now his new team sit just a point off the top in Spain and life must seem a bit brighter for the 53-year-old manager.
• Free kick barrage in Barcelona: Lionel Messi scored three goals, all from dead ball situations to help Barcelona beat Celta Vigo 4-1. His first came from penalty after a handball in the Celta penalty box, which he slotted home cooly. The next two were nearly identical free kicks from a bit outside the 18 yard box which both bested Celta keeper, Ruben Blanco. It was a rough first match for new Celta manager, Oscar Garcia, whose side’s lone goal came from a free kick as well. The strike coming in the 42’ minute from Lucas Olaza. 
• Hazard turns the corner in Madrid: While the Belgian didn’t get on the scoresheet, he did dazzle and draw a penalty in Los Blancos’ 4-0 win against Eibar. Hazard seemed much more of the player who impressed for years at Chelsea in Madrid’s victory and Madristas will be looking forward to more of these types of performances from their star man.

Biggest Games of the Week

November 9, 2019

Valencia 2:0 Granada

• What Happened: Daniel Wass would finally give Valencia the lead in the 74’ minute with a strike from the back post and Ferran Torres would wrap it up in the 7th minute of extra time to make it 2-0.

• What This Means: Granada continues to fall down the table after being top just 3 weeks ago. Their third loss in a row knocks them all the way back to 8th place. 

Eibar 0:4 Real Madrid

• What Happened: Karim Benzema and Sergio Ramos both knocked in penalties as Madrid blanked Eibar, 4-0.
• What This Means: Madrid haven’t lost since their shock defeat against Mallorca six games ago, but their winning streak will be tested directly after the international break with tough games against Real Sociedad and PSG. 

FC Barcelona 4:1 Celta de Vigo

• What Happened: Messi scored a hat-trick as Barcelona easily dispatched Celta 4-1 at Camp Nou.
• What This Means: Celta’s crisis continues as they become further entrenched in a relegation spot. After five straight losses, their match against Villarreal after the break becomes even more important in their quest to stay in the top flight next season.

November 10, 2019

Atlético de Madrid 3:1 Espanyol

• What Happened: Alvaro Morata continued his fine form against Espanyol, notching a goal and an assist in Atléti’s 3-1 win against Espanyol. 
• What This Means: Atlético now sit only a point behind Real Madrid and Barcelona at the top of the table. 

Sevilla 2:1 Real Betis

• What Happened: Lucas Ocampos and Luuk de Jong score to seal Sevilla’s 2-1 win against rivals Real Betis.  
• What This Means: Betis will look to regroup against Valencia in their next match. Only time will tell however, if their current manager, Rubi, will be the ones leading them out of the tunnel. 

Other Results

Real Sociedad 1:1 Leganés

Athletic Club 2:1 Levante

Mallorca 3:1 Villarreal

Getafe 0:0 Osasuna

Deportivo Alavés 3:0 Real Valladolid

Matchday 14 Game To Watch

Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad. Saturday, November 24th. 

Real Madrid loanee Martin Ødegaard is having a breakout season with Real Sociedad and will face off against his parent club after the break. La Real are only two points off Madrid in the table, and could potentially jump the capital city giants with a win at the Bernabeu.