La Liga Round Up: Atletico Madrid held by Rayo as Athletic Club win again

Atletico Madrid wrapped up Sunday night’s La Liga action with scrappy 1-1 draw at Rayo Vallecano.

Barcelona stormed to a 5-1 win at Villarreal to extend their winning streak to six games so far this season after Leganes drew at Getafe and Athletic Club beat Celta Vigo.

A gritty derby clash in the capital got the ball rolling on Sunday’s games as Getafe remain without a league win so far this season.

Leganes edged up to six points overall, as they were unable to hold onto a lead, via Jorge Saenz’s goal in the closing stages.

Getafe might not have a victory yet in 2024/25, but they will keep on fighting, as Borja Mayoral slotted home a late penalty to grab a draw.

Athletic Club move up into third place in La Liga at the end of Gameweek Six as they eased past Celta Vigo in Bilbao.

The Basque side made it three league wins in a row with a first half double from Gorka Guruzeta either side of Iago Aspas’ equalising penalty.

Celta kept themselves in the contest late on before Alvaro Djalo netted his first goal in Spanish football to secure all three points for the home side.

Atletico Madrid missed out the chance to keep up with the early season title pace as they were held to a draw by Rayo.

Chances at both ends ensured a rapid start in Vallecas before Julian Alvarez’s rocket rattled the hosts crossbar.

Just as the visitors appeared to be gaining control before the break, Rayo squeezed themselves in front, as Isi Palazon tapped home following a sweeping counter attack.

However, the away side rallied after the restart, as Conor Gallagher curled home an equaliser, with a goal for the second weekend running at his new side.

Alvarez and Angel Correa were kept out in the dying minutes as the home team seized a vital point.

Atletico Madrid dropped points as they were held to a 1-1 La Liga draw at Rayo Vallecano.

Los Rojiblancos remain unbeaten in league action so far this season but they drew a third game from six.

Conor Gallagher netted for the second weekend in a row, as the England international settles into life in the Spanish capital, but captain Koke was angry at full time.

The visitors struggled in the first half, and only an improved second period allowed them to rally, and their skipper had a clear message for his teammates at full time.

“We were missing everything in the first half. We have to push harder. Everyone has to run, you don’t win just because of the shirt”, he said in a post match interview.

“If you don’t run, you can’t play at Atletico Madrid. The attitude in the first half cannot continue.”

As the schedule continues to step up, Atletico Madrid now face a midweek trip to Celta Vigo,, as they land in Galicia on September 26.

That is their build up to their biggest game of the season in another Madrid derby next weekend, at home to Real Madrid, on September 29.

Los Rojiblancos won 3-1 at home to their fierce rivals last season and they have lost just one home league game against Los Blancos since 2019.