There will be no games in La Liga for the next 10 days, but that doesn't mean that there will be no talking points about it during the International break.
The title race seems to be down to two teams, and of course, it couldn't be other clubs than Real Madrid and Barcelona. Los Blancos kept their first place unharmed as the flew past Athletic on Saturday, thanks to goals by Karim Benzema and Casemiro, both of them assisted by Cristiano Ronaldo. Those passes gave CR7 a record no Real Madrid player has reached this season.
1 - Cristiano Ronaldo is the first Real Madrid player to reach double figures of goals (26) and assists (10) this season (all comps). Ace. pic.twitter.com/lYVxSy9csU
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) March 18, 2017
But if Real Madrid had a good game, Barcelona showed their stuff on Sunday and didn't disappoint their loyal fans. Los Blaugranas sent Valencia packing thanks to a brace by Lionel Messi, one goal by Luis Suárez and André Gomes' stoppage time strike.
This game helped Barcelona equal a 46-year old record, which could be seen by those "UEFAlona" trolls as the reason why La Liga's race is so tight.
#CLEANSHEET Barcelona is the first team to get through the first 28 #LaLiga weeks without any red card or penalty against since 1970-71.
— MisterChip (English) (@MisterChiping) March 19, 2017
Pichichi race
Lionel Messi has taken a commanding lead in La Liga's Golden Shoe race, as he is now three and six goals clear of his two closest rivals: Luis Suárez and Cristiano Ronaldo. Nonetheless, both strikers will have a chance to get closer when La Liga resumes, as Messi will not play against Granada on Matchday 29.
Lionel Messi breaks the 25-goal barrier... #FCBValencia #LaLigaSantander pic.twitter.com/uZSjMCgX9p
— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) March 19, 2017
Standings
With Sevilla eight points behind Real Madrid, the title race will be won by either Los Blancos or Barcelona. The lower half of the table is also scorching, with Sporting and Granada trying to leave relegation spots every week, while Osasuna seems to be doomed with ten games left.
| Pos. | Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | P | Form | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Real Madrid | 36 | 29 | 6 | 1 | 83 | 22 | +61 | 93 | WWWWW | |
| 2 | Barcelona | 36 | 24 | 7 | 5 | 74 | 43 | +31 | 79 | WWLWL | |
| 3 | Girona | 36 | 23 | 6 | 7 | 75 | 45 | +30 | 75 | LDWWW | |
| 4 | Atlético Madrid | 36 | 23 | 4 | 9 | 67 | 39 | +28 | 73 | WWWWL | |
| 5 | Athletic Club | 36 | 17 | 11 | 8 | 58 | 37 | +21 | 62 | LDWLD | |
| 6 | Real Sociedad | 36 | 15 | 12 | 9 | 49 | 37 | +12 | 57 | WLWLD | |
| 7 | Real Betis | 36 | 14 | 14 | 8 | 48 | 43 | +5 | 56 | DWWDW | |
| 8 | Villarreal | 36 | 14 | 9 | 13 | 60 | 60 | 0 | 51 | WWLWW | |
| 9 | Valencia | 36 | 13 | 9 | 14 | 37 | 40 | -3 | 48 | LDLLL | |
| 10 | Getafe | 36 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 41 | 51 | -10 | 43 | LLLWD | |
| 11 | Deportivo Alavés | 36 | 11 | 9 | 16 | 34 | 45 | -11 | 42 | LDWWW | |
| 12 | Sevilla | 36 | 10 | 11 | 15 | 47 | 50 | -3 | 41 | LLWDW | |
| 13 | Osasuna | 36 | 11 | 8 | 17 | 40 | 54 | -14 | 41 | DDLLL | |
| 14 | Las Palmas | 36 | 10 | 8 | 18 | 32 | 46 | -14 | 38 | DLLLL | |
| 15 | Rayo Vallecano | 36 | 8 | 14 | 14 | 29 | 44 | -15 | 38 | WDLLW | |
| 16 | Celta de Vigo | 36 | 9 | 10 | 17 | 42 | 54 | -12 | 37 | WLWLW | |
| 17 | Mallorca | 36 | 7 | 15 | 14 | 29 | 41 | -12 | 36 | DWLDL | |
| 18 | Cádiz | 36 | 6 | 14 | 16 | 25 | 49 | -24 | 32 | WWLDL | |
| 19 | Granada | 36 | 4 | 9 | 23 | 37 | 70 | -33 | 21 | LLLWD | |
| 20 | Almería | 36 | 2 | 11 | 23 | 35 | 72 | -37 | 17 | LLWLL |
