LaLiga Matchday 10 Roundup

Last Updated on octubre 28, 2025 10:57 am by Erwin Noguera

The tenth round of LaLiga action provided a weekend full of excitement, controversy, and moments that could set the tone for the rest of the season.

From Espanyol’s historic victory on the eve of its 125th anniversary to El Clásico, which once again shook Madrid and Barcelona, the Spanish league experienced a high-octane round of fixtures. Teams are beginning to define their identity and, as the calendar progresses, every point becomes worth its weight in gold. Three stories stood out on this matchday: Espanyol’s resilience against Elche, Valencia’s freefall in the derby against Villarreal, and Real Madrid’s victory in a Clásico full of drama and tension.

Beyond the results, matchday 10 was a perfect portrait of what defines LaLiga: equal parts technique, tactics, and passion. Some teams won through organization, others through talent, and some lost due to a lack of conviction.

At Cornellà, Espanyol showed how patience and collective effort can overcome the opposition’s possession; at Mestalla, Villarreal displayed maturity and class against a Valencia side that is struggling to find answers; and at the Bernabéu, Madrid confirmed their growth under Xabi Alonso, defeating a Barça side that continues to search for balance between youth and experience.

En Gambyl Exchange, puedes explorar todas las predicciones para la LaLiga EA Sports, las apuestas finales para esta jornada y las cuotas de cada partido.

LaLiga Matchday 10: Results

LaLiga Matchday 10 Roundup: Espanyol vs. Elche

Espanyol treated themselves to a very special victory just before commemorating their 125th anniversary, narrowly beating a competitive Elche side at the RCDE Stadium.

The match began with scares at both ends: first Jofre tested Iñaki Peña, and then Febas and Rafa Mir demanded reflexes from Dmitrovic. Elche, true to Eder Sarabia’s style, dominated possession and the pace of the game for much of the first half, but failed to convert their chances. At times, the home side seemed overwhelmed, but they managed to regroup and find some order in the final stages of the first half.

Espanyol grew stronger as the minutes passed, and by half-time, they had matched the visitors’ intensity. Pere Milla was the offensive linchpin for the Blue and Whites, creating two clear chances that forced the Elche goalkeeper to intervene. However, the goal did not come, and the score remained unchanged at halftime, with the feeling that the match would be decided by a small detail.

That moment came right at the start of the second half. In a quick counterattack, Carlos Romero combined with Edu Expósito and finished with precision to make it 1-0, which would end up being the final score. From then on, Espanyol managed the result with maturity, retreating when necessary and containing Elche’s final attempts.

It wasn’t the most brilliant game, but it was one of the most important: three points that came at a symbolic moment and reaffirmed the team’s good work at home.

Result: Espanyol 1-0 Elche

LaLiga Matchday 10 Roundup: Valencia vs Villarreal

Villarreal ended a seven-year winless streak at Mestalla in emphatic fashion. The Valencian Community derby was an emotional rollercoaster, especially for a Valencia side in crisis. Corberán’s men once again put in a flat and uninspired performance, unable to connect between the lines or create any sustained danger.

For their part, the “Yellow Submarine” grew stronger as the minutes passed, controlling the pace and waiting for the right moment to strike. That moment came on the stroke of half-time, when a controversial penalty awarded by Alberola Rojas allowed Gerard Moreno to open the scoring from the penalty spot.

The goal completely changed the scenario. Villarreal, led by Marcelino, who was given a standing ovation on his return, looked more composed and confident in the second half. While Valencia became disorganized in their search for an equalizer, the visitors took advantage of the spaces to launch lethal counterattacks. In one of them, Mikautadze forced a great save from Agirrezabala, whose rebound fell to Comesaña, who coolly made it 0-2. Frustration took hold at Mestalla, where the stands expressed their dissatisfaction with the team, the bench, and even the board.

The final stretch was a reflection of what Valencia are today: effort without clarity, drive without direction. Danjuma had a good chance to reduce the deficit, but the ball refused to go in. Villarreal, on the other hand, limited themselves to managing their lead, showing professionalism and balance.

Result: Valencia 0-2 Villarreal

LaLiga Matchday 10 Roundup: Real Madrid vs Barcelona

The Clásico at the Bernabéu once again delivered everything you would expect from a match of this magnitude: tension, controversy, talent, and extreme emotions.

Real Madrid won the first clash of the season against Barcelona 2-1, with goals from Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham. Xabi Alonso opted for a physical and dynamic midfield with Camavinga, Tchouameni, and Bellingham, while Hansi Flick, suspended and assisted from the stands, fielded an attacking lineup with Ferran Torres and Lamine Yamal. The start was electric, with a penalty disallowed for Vinicius and a goal ruled out for Mbappé for a millimeter offside, decisions that ignited the stands and the Real Madrid dressing room itself.

The first blow came in the 22nd minute, when Bellingham recovered the ball in the opposition’s half and threaded a pass through to Mbappé, who fired home a shot that was impossible for Szczesny to save. Barça reacted well and found the equalizer before half-time thanks to Fermín López, who finished off a good move started by Pedri.

But Barça’s joy was short-lived: just before the break, a run by Vinicius ended with a cross that Militao headed down for Bellingham to tap in the second. The Bernabéu erupted, and Madrid went into the dressing room with the lead and renewed confidence.

The second half was more tactical and scrappy, with Barça trying to dominate possession and Madrid opting for pressure and quick transitions. Szczesny prevented a third goal with a spectacular save from a Mbappé penalty, while Vinicius and Carvajal were involved in the most tense moments, especially after a final scuffle in which Pedri was sent off.

The match ended with Madrid defending their lead against a tired and frustrated Barça.

Result: Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona

LaLiga Matchday 10 Roundup: Real Betis vs. Atlético Madrid

The red-and-white team secured its second consecutive league victory in a match where it did not dominate the game, but did control the result. Betis took the initiative for most of the match, moving the ball patiently and frequently entering the opponent’s half, but without finding the back of the net. Atlético’s efficiency made the difference: two accurate strikes and three points that return the team to fourth place, just before the Copa del Rey week, in which they will rest while watching the standings from the Champions League spots. Betis, on the other hand, saw their streak of nine consecutive games without a loss come to an end.

After the kickoff, the match took a red-and-white turn very early on. Giuliano Simeone took advantage of a loose ball at the edge of the box to connect with an unstoppable shot. Betis reacted and tested Oblak, but just when it looked like they were about to equalize, a flash of individual brilliance changed the script once again. Álex Baena, with hardly any space, cut inside and unleashed a left-footed shot that crept into the top corner just before halftime.

The second half was different: doubts resurfaced for Atlético, who sat back and were forced to resist Betis’ pressure. Lo Celso and Abde came close to reducing the deficit, with the latter hitting the crossbar. Simeone made adjustments to contain the siege, and his team once again relied on Oblak, who held on to the lead until the end. Atlético secured a victory that does not dispel the doubts surrounding their play, but does consolidate their position in the table. Betis, despite the defeat, remain in sixth place and now face a demanding week, including a cup tie, before returning to league action and turning their attention to Europe.

Result: Real Betis 0-2 Atlético Madrid