La Liga
SpainLa Liga 2026/27: Barcelona win at Betis to make it nine out of nine
La Liga is Spain's top division, played since 1929, and Real Madrid are its most successful club. Twenty teams meet home and away over 38 rounds. The top four qualify for the Champions League league phase, fifth place goes to the Europa League and sixth to the Conference League qualifiers, while the bottom three drop to the Segunda División. Barcelona are the defending champions: they won the 2025/26 title, their second in a row and 29th overall, while Kylian Mbappé was the league's top scorer with 25 goals.
Barcelona have won all nine games, the latest 5-2 at Real Betis, and have scored 39 goals. Atlético Madrid, 1-0 winners at Espanyol and on a run of five straight wins, are five points behind on 22, and Real Madrid are third on 21 after beating Sevilla 4-1, their fifth win from five at home. Betis are fourth on 19, and Real Sociedad, who won 5-2 at Málaga, and Sevilla hold the Europa League and Conference League places.
At the bottom, Málaga are the only side without a win. Valencia, 19th, have still not won at home after a 0-0 draw with Athletic Club, who have the best defence, six goals conceded, and Elche complete the relegation zone.
Raphinha leads the scoring charts with 12 goals, ahead of Kylian Mbappé with nine. Lamine Yamal has eight goals and the most assists, six.
