The most recent matchday in La Liga left a few talking points for fans around the world, most of them having to do with Lionel Messi and his eternal rival, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Football's top stars stole the show on Sunday's fixtures, with Messi scoring the opening goal for Barcelona against Athletic. On the other hand, Cristiano's poker made headlines worldwide, as he became the most prolific scorer in 2018.
Messi's initial goal against Los Leones was crucial for Barcelona's victory. Their unbeaten run in all competitions is something note-worthy, and could set a new record if they end the current year with nothing but wins.
36 - Barcelona are unbeaten in 36 league games in a row (W30 D6), the best current run of any side in the top five European leagues. Invincible. pic.twitter.com/9sSFuZGBUz
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) March 18, 2018
On Sunday evening, Cristiano Ronaldo took the world by storm with his four goal contribution to Real Madrid's win. Despite his slow start of the season, CR7 has managed to make it to the top of the goalscoring charts in all of Europe, topping the contributions of Mohamed Salah, Harry Kane or Messi, to name a few.
37 - Cristiano Ronaldo has scored more goals than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues this season in all competitions. Stellar. pic.twitter.com/Rv6QgBfjVC
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) March 19, 2018
Atlético's loss on Sunday broadened the gap at the top of La Liga, but it brought Real Madrid and Valencia closer to the second spot. Here's how La Liga's standings look like after 29 games.
| Pos. | Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | P | Form | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Real Madrid | 31 | 24 | 6 | 1 | 67 | 20 | +47 | 78 | WWWWD | |
| 2 | Barcelona | 31 | 21 | 7 | 3 | 62 | 34 | +28 | 70 | WWWWD | |
| 3 | Girona | 31 | 20 | 5 | 6 | 63 | 39 | +24 | 65 | LWLWL | |
| 4 | Atlético Madrid | 31 | 19 | 4 | 8 | 59 | 36 | +23 | 61 | WWLLW | |
| 5 | Athletic Club | 31 | 16 | 9 | 6 | 51 | 29 | +22 | 57 | DLWWD | |
| 6 | Real Sociedad | 31 | 13 | 11 | 7 | 45 | 33 | +12 | 50 | DWWWL | |
| 7 | Valencia | 31 | 13 | 8 | 10 | 34 | 32 | +2 | 47 | WWDLW | |
| 8 | Real Betis | 31 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 38 | 37 | +1 | 45 | WLLLL | |
| 9 | Villarreal | 31 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 49 | 54 | -5 | 39 | DLWWW | |
| 10 | Getafe | 31 | 9 | 12 | 10 | 37 | 43 | -6 | 39 | DLWLD | |
| 11 | Osasuna | 31 | 11 | 6 | 14 | 36 | 44 | -8 | 39 | LWLLW | |
| 12 | Las Palmas | 31 | 10 | 7 | 14 | 29 | 35 | -6 | 37 | LLLLD | |
| 13 | Sevilla | 31 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 39 | 44 | -5 | 34 | WWLDW | |
| 14 | Deportivo Alavés | 31 | 8 | 8 | 15 | 26 | 38 | -12 | 32 | LLLWL | |
| 15 | Mallorca | 31 | 6 | 13 | 12 | 25 | 36 | -11 | 31 | LDWLW | |
| 16 | Rayo Vallecano | 31 | 6 | 13 | 12 | 25 | 38 | -13 | 31 | DDWLD | |
| 17 | Celta de Vigo | 31 | 6 | 10 | 15 | 33 | 46 | -13 | 28 | LDWLW | |
| 18 | Cádiz | 31 | 4 | 13 | 14 | 21 | 41 | -20 | 25 | LWLWD | |
| 19 | Granada | 31 | 3 | 8 | 20 | 32 | 60 | -28 | 17 | WLLLL | |
| 20 | Almería | 31 | 1 | 11 | 19 | 30 | 62 | -32 | 14 | DLWDL |
