Players, and Early Leaders

The La Liga Week 1 results are in, and it brought all the fun and shock that fans love. The start never lets us down, and this time we saw big upsets, red cards, first goals, and new stars in just a few days.

Barcelona sent a strong message, Real Madrid stood strong, Espanyol shocked Atlético Madrid, and many players made big news early on. For bettors, Week 1 gave new clues about who is doing well, who needs to get better, and which players could shine this season.

All La Liga Week 1 Results

The official La Liga Week 1 scores:

• Girona 1–3 Rayo Vallecano
• Villarreal 2–0 Real Oviedo
• Mallorca 0–3 Barcelona
• Deportivo Alavés 2–1 Levante
• Valencia 1–1 Real Sociedad
• Celta Vigo 0–2 Getafe
• Athletic Club 3–2 Sevilla
• Espanyol 2–1 Atlético Madrid
• Elche 1–1 Real Betis
• Real Madrid 1–0 Osasuna

Barcelona and Madrid did their job as most thought they would. Yet, Espanyol’s shock win and the big score Bilbao put up got a lot of talk.

Shocks and Surprises

Espanyol’s Stunning Win

The top surprise in La Liga’s first week came not from Camp Nou in Barcelona but rather from Espanyol. Newly back, they won over Atlético Madrid 2-1. Simeone’s side took the lead with a Julián Álvarez free-kick, yet crumbled under late pressure.

Miguel Rubio leveled in the 73rd minute before Pere Milla’s diving header sealed victory. The upset broke Atlético’s 15-year streak of opening-day unbeaten runs, sending shockwaves across betting markets. For underdog backers, this was the jackpot.

Mallorca’s Nightmare

Mallorca’s opener against Barcelona spiraled quickly. Two red cards before halftime left them with nine men, making it impossible to compete. Losing 3–0 wasn’t surprising in the end, but the manner of defeat — with controversy over Barcelona’s second goal — made it a talking point.

Standout Players of Week 1

Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)

The 18-year-old continues to play beyond his years. His assist in the first goal and a late bending score show why he’s now key for Barcelona. He’s seen as a top young talent in Europe.  

Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid)

All eyes were on him, and he came through. His penalty shot against Osasuna got Madrid three points. More than just that goal, his play made the other team stretch out and gave us a peek at what he might do next. Bettors will keep an eye on him for anytime goalscorer markets.

Nico Williams (Athletic Club)

Athletic’s star shone as they beat Sevilla 3-2. With a goal, an assist, and lots of energy, he stood out. He seemed all set to rule the league this year.

Pere Milla (Espanyol)

Not a name always in headlines, but his diving header against Atlético will be replayed all week. More than the goal, it symbolized Espanyol’s spirit.

How the Promoted Teams Did

Promoted clubs often define relegation battles and betting value. Week 1 offered a snapshot:

• Real Oviedo: Struggled at Villarreal, missing a penalty and losing 2–0 after a red card. Away trips may be brutal this season.
• Elche: The best debut, securing a 1–1 draw with Betis thanks to Germán Valera’s late strike. Expect them to be a tough nut at home.
• Levante: Fought bravely but fell 2–1 at Alavés after conceding late. Margins will be thin for their survival chances.

Early League Leaders

After one round, eight teams have three points each. Barcelona leads with a +3-goal count. Villarreal, Getafe, Rayo, Espanyol, Athletic, Real Madrid, and Alavés had a strong start too.

On the scorers’ chart, it’s crowded at the top. No player scored more than once, meaning over two dozen share the lead. For betting markets, this makes the early Golden Boot race wide open.

Betting Trends from Week 1

Opening rounds always reveal useful betting signals:

• Underdogs bite: Espanyol’s win proved home underdogs can be profitable early on.

• Discipline is key: Five red cards were given out, making card bets exciting.
• Even splits on totals: Half the games scored over 2.5, half under that. No strong trend seen so far.
• Top teams struggle too: Barcelona won easily, Madrid barely made it, and Atlético fell apart.

Week 2 odds will adjust accordingly, with bookmakers likely shortening Barcelona’s title odds and lengthening Atlético’s slightly.

Fan Talking Points

La Liga fans had plenty to debate after Week 1:

• Refereeing and VAR: Mallorca’s fury over Torres’s goal reignited debates about stopping play for injuries.
• Young stars: Yamal and Nico Williams made a big mark, showing a new generation of stars may be here.
• Atlético’s vulnerability: After years of being rock-solid, their defeat exposed potential cracks.
• Mbappé mania: Every move from the Frenchman drew attention, even if Madrid weren’t sparkling.

What La Liga Week 1 Taught Us

The La Liga Week 1 results showed why Spain’s top flight remains one of the most unpredictable leagues in Europe. From Espanyol’s big win to the bright young stars at Barcelona, the first weekend was full of drama.

For bettors, there were key lessons: don’t look down on the weak ones, keep an eye on how teams play it safe, and know that games at the start can go any way. For fans, it was a sign that La Liga still blends old ways with new shocks.

Week 2 looks set to bring even more action. Until that time, one thing is sure: the Spanish league is here again, and it’s as exciting as always.