La Liga Matchday 7: Biggest Stories and What They Mean

Matchday 7 delivered drama, goals and a few surprises that could reshape the early season race. If you missed any of the games, this recap gives you the key moments, who shone and what to expect in the coming weeks.

Match Recaps

Atlético Madrid turned a 1‑2 first‑half deficit into a 5‑2 demolition of Real Madrid at the Madrid derby. Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring for the visitors, and Arda Güler added a second before halftime. The second half saw Simeone’s side pour on the pressure – Diego Costa, João Félix and Álvaro Morata all found the net. The result not only puts Atlético within touching distance of the top three, it exposes real defensive frailties that could haunt the champions.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid rested several regulars for the Espanyol clash. The announced 23‑man squad featured Luka Romero’s return from injury, while veterans like Vinícius Júnior and Karim Benzema watched from the bench. Real still managed a 2‑0 win thanks to goals from Éder Militão and Mbappé, showing depth in the squad but also highlighting that the manager is willing to gamble on younger players for the busy weeks ahead.

Osasuna earned a tidy 2‑0 victory over Elche at El Sadar. A first‑half goal from Barja and a second‑half own‑goal secured all three points. Despite Elche dominating possession, Osasuna’s aerial strength and quick transitions made the difference. The win keeps them comfortably mid‑table and gives them momentum for the next fixtures.

Other notable matchups included a solid performance from Girona, who edged a 1‑0 win against Sevilla, and a hard‑fought draw between Valencia and Athletic Bilbao that left both teams with a point each. These results tighten the mid‑table scramble and set up a flurry of interesting fixtures in the coming weeks.

What’s Next?

Looking ahead, Atlético will try to keep their attacking rhythm alive when they face Barcelona next. The clash could be a decisive test of whether Simeone’s side can challenge for the title or settle for a strong European spot.

Real Madrid’s next game against Getafe sees Carlo Ancelotti rotate again, giving youngsters Endrick and Güler more minutes. The approach suggests a focus on squad depth to survive the congested schedule that includes the Copa del Rey final and a Champions League group stage debut.

Osasuna’s upcoming fixture is against Granada, a fight for the lower‑mid table. Maintaining defensive solidity will be key, especially when they face a Granada side that thrives on set‑pieces.

Overall, Matchday 7 reminded us that La Liga is still wide open. Big clubs are already experimenting with line‑ups, while surprise results like Atlético’s derby win show that no game can be taken for granted. Fans can expect more tactical tweaks, rotation and a race for points that will keep the standings in flux.

Stay tuned to the Village Gazette for live updates, player interviews and deeper analysis as the season unfolds. Whether you’re a die‑hard supporter or a casual follower, Matchday 7 gave us plenty to talk about – and the best is yet to come.