Four
teams still have 100% records in La Liga following another pulsating
round of fixtures on week three in Spain's first division.
The action began on Friday as Almeria welcomed fellow newly-promoted side Elche. The hosts led until the 90th minute, but a late equaliser from Richmond Boakye secured a share of the spoils.
Levante also waited until the final minute to pick up all three points on the same evening, as Andreas Ivanschitz's strike handed them a 2-1 win away to Rayo Vallecano.
Celta Vigo shared the points in a 1-1 draw with Granada in the early match on Saturday, before Real Valladolid picked up all three points with a 1-0 win over Getafe. Villarreal ended the evening in style as they made it three wins from three games with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Osasuna.
There were no fewer than five games on Sunday, with Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid all hopeful of joining newly-promoted side Villarreal on nine points before the international break.
Isco inspired Real to a 3-1 win over Athletic Bilbao, before Atletico continued their impressive start to the season with a 2-1 win at Real Sociedad. Sandwiched between those two games was a forgettable 0-0 draw between Espanyol and Real Betis.
Sevilla and Malaga are still looking for their respective first wins of the season as the two sides played out a four-goal thriller at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, but the game of the weekend was at the Mestalla where Barcelona claimed all three points with a 3-2 win against Valencia.
Here, INTERMEDIA selects its 11 star performers in the last weekend of Spanish action before the international break.
Miguel Angel Moya (Getafe)
There were a few contenders for the goalkeeping spot this week, including Thibaut Courtois and Victor Valdes, but Moya just shades it following a fine performance in his side's 1-0 defeat to Valladolid on Saturday. His team might have lost, but it would have been by a much more comprehensive margin had the 29-year-old not pulled off a number of stunning saves, especially in the latter stages.
Marc Valiente (Real Valladolid)
It has not been the best start to the season for Valladolid, but they picked up a much-needed win with a 1-0 success over Getafe on Saturday. It was the 26-year-old who secured all three points with a header in the second period, but it was his towering performance in the back four that impressed the most.
Javier Mascherano (Barcelona)
His side might have conceded twice in Sunday's 3-2 win over Valencia, but it would have been worse if the Argentine had not been on form in the latter stages. Not only did the Argentine put his body on the line, he was also calm and composed in possession, which helped the Catalan outfit close out the match in the final couple of moments.
Hector Moreno (Espanyol)
Espanyol's 0-0 draw with Real Betis on Sunday will go down as one of the worst league matches in recent seasons, but Moreno was the saving grace. The Mexican defender was exceptional in the air under constant pressure from the away side, while he also made a number of clever interceptions in the second period.
Cani (Villarreal)
Everything good about Villarreal this season has come through the experienced 31-year-old. The newly-promoted side have won each of their three league games thus far, a total that has left them third in the table. The midfielder was again in fine form in his side's 3-0 win over Osasuna on Saturday, dictating the tempo from the middle of the pitch.
Isco (Real Madrid)
The 21-year-old might be in the very early stages of his Madrid career, but he was already made quite an impression. He scored his third goal in as many league games with a brace in the 3-1 win over Bilbao on Sunday. You have to be quite a player to keep someone of the ilk of Mesut Ozil out of the team, there is no question about that.
Luka Modric (Real Madrid)
It seems a long time ago when the Croatian was getting some stick for his performances in the early part of his Madrid career. Well, that is not the case anymore. Coach Carlo Ancelotti did not want to lose him this summer and it is easy to see why. He outshone two-goal Isco with a determined and clever performance in the middle of their midfield against Bilbao.
Koke (Atletico Madrid)
It is no surprise that the Spaniard has been a key member of an Atletico team that is impressing a lot of people. When watching his performance, it is incredible to think that he is just 21 years old. He was up to his old midfield tricks in his side's 2-1 win over Sociedad on Sunday and added their second with a smart finish in the second half.
Helder Postiga (Valencia)
The Portuguese attacker scored the goal of the weekend with a stunning volley in the first period against Barcelona, before adding his second with a fine header moments later. Aside from his goals, his all-round performance was also impressive. He already appears to be a very astute signing for the Champions League hopefuls.
Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Different week, same old Messi. A first-half hat-trick ensured that Barcelona picked up all three points in a 3-2 win over Valencia. He missed a couple of golden chances in the latter stages, but he had already secured the match ball following a wonderful opening 45 minutes. He has now scored 101 goals in his last 71 La Liga appearances.
David Villa (Atletico Madrid)
There has been a lot of money spent in Europe this summer, but the signing of Villa could be the best piece of business. Spain's all-time leading scorer was in fine form in his side's 2-1 win over Sociedad at the weekend – scoring with a fine chip before assisting Koke for the second. It was a top-drawer performance from the former Barcelona forward.
Levante also waited until the final minute to pick up all three points on the same evening, as Andreas Ivanschitz's strike handed them a 2-1 win away to Rayo Vallecano.
Celta Vigo shared the points in a 1-1 draw with Granada in the early match on Saturday, before Real Valladolid picked up all three points with a 1-0 win over Getafe. Villarreal ended the evening in style as they made it three wins from three games with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Osasuna.
There were no fewer than five games on Sunday, with Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid all hopeful of joining newly-promoted side Villarreal on nine points before the international break.
Isco inspired Real to a 3-1 win over Athletic Bilbao, before Atletico continued their impressive start to the season with a 2-1 win at Real Sociedad. Sandwiched between those two games was a forgettable 0-0 draw between Espanyol and Real Betis.
Sevilla and Malaga are still looking for their respective first wins of the season as the two sides played out a four-goal thriller at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, but the game of the weekend was at the Mestalla where Barcelona claimed all three points with a 3-2 win against Valencia.
Here, INTERMEDIA selects its 11 star performers in the last weekend of Spanish action before the international break.
Miguel Angel Moya (Getafe)
There were a few contenders for the goalkeeping spot this week, including Thibaut Courtois and Victor Valdes, but Moya just shades it following a fine performance in his side's 1-0 defeat to Valladolid on Saturday. His team might have lost, but it would have been by a much more comprehensive margin had the 29-year-old not pulled off a number of stunning saves, especially in the latter stages.
Marc Valiente (Real Valladolid)
It has not been the best start to the season for Valladolid, but they picked up a much-needed win with a 1-0 success over Getafe on Saturday. It was the 26-year-old who secured all three points with a header in the second period, but it was his towering performance in the back four that impressed the most.
Javier Mascherano (Barcelona)
His side might have conceded twice in Sunday's 3-2 win over Valencia, but it would have been worse if the Argentine had not been on form in the latter stages. Not only did the Argentine put his body on the line, he was also calm and composed in possession, which helped the Catalan outfit close out the match in the final couple of moments.
Hector Moreno (Espanyol)
Espanyol's 0-0 draw with Real Betis on Sunday will go down as one of the worst league matches in recent seasons, but Moreno was the saving grace. The Mexican defender was exceptional in the air under constant pressure from the away side, while he also made a number of clever interceptions in the second period.
Cani (Villarreal)
Everything good about Villarreal this season has come through the experienced 31-year-old. The newly-promoted side have won each of their three league games thus far, a total that has left them third in the table. The midfielder was again in fine form in his side's 3-0 win over Osasuna on Saturday, dictating the tempo from the middle of the pitch.
Isco (Real Madrid)
The 21-year-old might be in the very early stages of his Madrid career, but he was already made quite an impression. He scored his third goal in as many league games with a brace in the 3-1 win over Bilbao on Sunday. You have to be quite a player to keep someone of the ilk of Mesut Ozil out of the team, there is no question about that.
Luka Modric (Real Madrid)
It seems a long time ago when the Croatian was getting some stick for his performances in the early part of his Madrid career. Well, that is not the case anymore. Coach Carlo Ancelotti did not want to lose him this summer and it is easy to see why. He outshone two-goal Isco with a determined and clever performance in the middle of their midfield against Bilbao.
Koke (Atletico Madrid)
It is no surprise that the Spaniard has been a key member of an Atletico team that is impressing a lot of people. When watching his performance, it is incredible to think that he is just 21 years old. He was up to his old midfield tricks in his side's 2-1 win over Sociedad on Sunday and added their second with a smart finish in the second half.
Helder Postiga (Valencia)
The Portuguese attacker scored the goal of the weekend with a stunning volley in the first period against Barcelona, before adding his second with a fine header moments later. Aside from his goals, his all-round performance was also impressive. He already appears to be a very astute signing for the Champions League hopefuls.
Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Different week, same old Messi. A first-half hat-trick ensured that Barcelona picked up all three points in a 3-2 win over Valencia. He missed a couple of golden chances in the latter stages, but he had already secured the match ball following a wonderful opening 45 minutes. He has now scored 101 goals in his last 71 La Liga appearances.
David Villa (Atletico Madrid)
There has been a lot of money spent in Europe this summer, but the signing of Villa could be the best piece of business. Spain's all-time leading scorer was in fine form in his side's 2-1 win over Sociedad at the weekend – scoring with a fine chip before assisting Koke for the second. It was a top-drawer performance from the former Barcelona forward.