Gonzalo Garcia bagged a hat-trick for Real Madrid as they beat Real Betis 5-1 on Sunday to stay on La Liga leaders Barcelona's tail.

Real Madrid on Wednesday said that Kylian Mbappe had suffered a knee sprain, delivering a blow to their bid to reel in Liga leaders Barcelona.

There are plenty of moments in an English Premier League footballer’s life that might inspire envy, but playing through the holiday season is unlikely to be one of them.

Barcelona wingers Raphinha and Lamine Yamal guided the Catalan giants four points clear at the top of La Liga with a 2-0 win at 10-man Villarreal on Sunday.

"To do like Cristiano did, my idol, the best player in Real Madrid's history and a world great, it's an honour for me," said Mbappe, who turned 27 on Saturday.

Kylian Mbappe and Rodrygo Goes's goals earned Real Madrid a tense 2-1 win at Alaves in La Liga on Sunday to potentially keep coach Xabi Alonso in his job.

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick praised his club’s famed academy after a 2-0 LaLiga victory over Osasuna at the Camp Nou, highlighting the impact of several young players in the defence.

Raphinha hit a brace to give Barcelona a narrow 2-0 win over Osasuna on Saturday and take them seven points clear at the top of LaLiga.

Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said Kylian Mbappe is fit to play on Sunday against Alaves in LaLiga, as his depleted team bid to turn around a run of bad results.

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick downplayed his team's LaLiga lead on Friday, saying their four-point cushion over stuttering Real Madrid means little and the real test will be staying focused as the season unfolds.

Alonso, whom Spanish media reported was set for the sack if Madrid lost against Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday, remains at the helm despite a 2-1 defeat at a frustrated, whistling Bernabeu.

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah is not a good fit for the Saudi Pro League and clubs should target younger players like Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr, Al-Kholood chairman Ben Harburg said on Wednesday.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick claimed Monday his team's defending is now on "another level" after a run of good results.

Williot Swedberg struck twice in the second half for Celta, with Madrid's second league defeat of the season leaving rivals Barcelona four points clear at the top of La Liga.

Barcelona top the standings on 40 points after 16 games.

The win keeps Real in second place with 36 points from 15 matches, one behind leaders Barcelona.

Barcelona midfielder Dani Olmo faces a month on the sidelines after dislocating his shoulder, the club said Wednesday.

Real Madrid were held to a third consecutive La Liga draw in a 1-1 tie at Girona on Sunday, allowing Barcelona to retain pole position.

After Pablo Ibanez fired the visitors into a surprise lead in the first minute, Barca hit back through teenage star Lamine Yamal, set up by the returning Raphinha.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has strongly refuted Real Madrid's latest accusations, insisting that "Barca have never bribed any referee" as the tension between Spain's two biggest clubs flared up once again.