Real Madrid ensured they will go into the first Clásico of the 2025/26 season in LaLiga EA Sports as leaders thanks to a hard-fought victory against Getafe (0-1). A lone goal from Kylian Mbappé was enough to break the resistance of a 'azulón' side that finished with nine men after the expulsions of Allan Nyom and Álex Sancris in the 77th and 84th minutes, respectively.
The red card that changed the game, without a doubt, was Nyom's. The defender had barely been on the field for a few seconds when, after a slap to Vinicius's neck with the ball not in dispute, José Luis Munuera decided to show him the direct red card.
After a couple of minutes of protest, the match resumed and Madrid took advantage of the spaces conceded by a Getafe defense in 'shock' after Nyom's expulsion. Arda Güler threaded a pass to Mbappé, who found time and space to control and finish against David Soria in the 80th minute.
LaLiga EA Sports 2025/26 Standings on Matchday 9
| Pos. | Club | GP | PTS | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1️⃣ | Real Madrid | 9 | 24 | 11 |
| 2️⃣ | FC Barcelona | 9 | 22 | 14 |
| 3️⃣ | Villarreal | 9 | 17 | 6 |
| 4️⃣ | Atlético | 9 | 16 | 6 |
| 5️⃣ | Betis | 9 | 16 | 5 |
| 6️⃣ | Espanyol | 9 | 15 | 2 |
Barça will be leader if they defeat Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu
Thus, Real Madrid reached 24 points, 2 more than FC Barcelona, one week before the Clásico scheduled for next Sunday, October 26, at the Santiago Bernabéu (16:15 CEST). On Saturday, the Azulgrana team also struggled more than expected to defeat Girona (2-1).
A goal from Ronald Araujo in the 90+3' prevented Hansi Flick's team from faltering, in a match where the 'culés' took the lead in the 13th minute thanks to a great goal from Pedri. Axel Witsel, however, leveled the score in the 20th minute, and Míchel's team could even have gone into halftime with the lead, if not for Szczesny's saves.
In the midst of a veritable deluge in Montjuïc, Barça regained control of the match in the second half, but Flick had to resort to using Araujo as a '9' to, in stoppage time, secure 3 golden points. If the 'culés', who last season won all 4 'clásicos' in La Liga, Copa, and Supercopa, win at the Bernabéu, they will return to the top of the tournament.
Of course, the Barça team will have to do their homework in Chamartín without Flick on the bench. The coach was sent off in the final minutes of the match against Girona (for protesting) and will likely receive a one-match suspension, which he will serve next Sunday.
The rest of the results from matchday 9 of LaLiga
With their defeats against Real Madrid and Barcelona, Getafe and Girona remain in 12th and 20th place in the standings, respectively. Matchday 9 began on Friday with Espanyol's away victory against Oviedo (0-2). This result kept the 'parakeets' in sixth place in the standings with 15 points.
Before Barça-Girona, Mallorca surprised Sevilla (1-3) to escape the relegation zone. The 'bermellones' now occupy 16th place, just ahead of Celta. Real Sociedad and Oviedo join Girona in the lower part of the table.
On Saturday, Villarreal and Betis drew at La Cerámica (2-2), meaning that the Castellonians and 'Verdiblancos' maintain their third and fifth place in the standings, respectively. Atlético, meanwhile, is fourth thanks to their narrow victory against Osasuna (1-0).
On Sunday, Elche and Athletic tied without goals at the Martínez Valero (0-0), while Celta and Real Sociedad did the same in Balaídos (1-1). Levante, however, suffered a heavy defeat at home against Rayo (0-3).
Elche and Athletic remain in 7th and 8th place, respectively. Rayo, on the other hand, climbs to 10th place and Levante falls to 14th. The matchday concludes on Monday with Alavés 0-0 Valencia.
All the matches of matchday 9 of LaLiga
- Real Oviedo 0-2 Espanyol
- Sevilla 1-3 Mallorca
- FC Barcelona 2-1 Girona
- Villarreal 2-2 Betis
- Atlético 1-0 Osasuna
- Elche 0-0 Athletic
- Celta 1-1 Real Sociedad
- Levante 0-3 Rayo
- Getafe 0-1 Real Madrid
- Alavés 0-0 Valencia
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