LaLiga Roundup: Real Madrid thrash Malaga to put pressure on Barça

Friday evening got off to a cracking start with Santander edging out Elche in a five-goal thriller. Moroccan striker Yassir Zahiri struck a stunning 15-minute hat-trick in the first half, but the visitors made it a nervy contest by scoring twice inside two second-half minutes. Santander now have four points form three outings. Elche sit second from bottom in the table with just a solitary point from their three matches.

Argentinian striker Lucas Boye was the only goal-scorer as Alaves remained unbeaten with a narrow 1-0 win over the Yellow Submarine at Estadio de Mendizorroza. Alaves have seven points from three matches and conceded just a single goal in those outings.

A second half blitz from Levante saw them beat Real Betis 5-2 in an entertaining clash at Estadio Ciudad de Valencia. Winger Roger Brugue stood out for the hosts with a pair of goals

A star at the World Cup, Mikel Oyarzabal has started to transfer that form to the new LaLiga season for his beloved Real Sociedad. The 29-year-old assisted both goals as his side beat Espanyol 2-1 at the weekend. It was a much-needed shot in the arm for Sociedad, who had lost their first two matches.

World Cup winner Alex Baena starred for Atleti as they claimed an impressive 3-1 win at Sevilla. Baena's brace, combined with Ademola Lookman's 26th-minute strike, propels Diego Simeone's men to second on the log with seven points. Argentinian striker Julian Alvarez was again left out of the Atleti squad as he pushes for a move away from the club.

Los Blancos have continued their 100% winning start to the season under new boss Jose Mourinho after a 4-0 thrashing of new boys Malaga. Jude Bellingham witrh an outstanding solo goal to open the scoring, Kylian Mbappe and Arda Guler were among the goals, with ex-Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold assisting Mbappe's 30th-minute strike with an excellent whipped ball. Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rudiger, Eduardo Camavinga and Brahim Diaz all came into the starting XI as Mourinho shuffled his pack ahead of a demanding schedule.

Newcomers Depor condemned Valencia to their second defeat of the season with a 3-1 success at the Riazor with veteran striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on the score sheet for the hosts, who remain unbeaten after three matches.

Celta have just a single point after three matches following their 0-2 home defeat to Athletic Bilbao. This was a welcome result for the visitors, who claim their first points of the campaign.