The 29th week in La Liga left several talking points for fans to discuss, including yet another record for Lionel Messi.
Surprisingly, the talk of the weekend shifted when Karim Benzema stepped up to save a new embarrassment for Real Madrid at home, especially considering the team they were facing. Benzema assisted and scored for Los Blancos on Sunday, which helped him reach a new record in La Liga history...one that Messi and Ronaldo don't have.
34 - @realmadriden's Karim @Benzema has scored against every team he has faced in @LaLigaEN (141 goals vs 34 different teams). Rescuer. pic.twitter.com/ut1GIiSYdg
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) March 31, 2019
Speaking about what Messi did against Espanyol, the Argentine footballer matched one bitter rival in terms of games won. Iker Casillas has some company in this department now!
¡Leo #Messi joins @IkerCasillas as the winningest player in @LaLigaEN history! pic.twitter.com/bdy79zYnn3
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 30, 2019
Pichichi race
One more brace, a nice 13-goal lead at the top. It's Lionel Messi, who else?
Messi @CristhianStuani @Benzema
— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) April 1, 2019
The leading scorers in #LaLigaSantander! pic.twitter.com/Um3s14PcK4
Standings after Matchday 29
With Barcelona ten points away from their nearest rival, the battle for the top four spots keeps making headlines. While Atlético kept their 2-point lead over Real Madrid, Valencia made it closer to the fourth spot, thanks to Getafe's loss. Alavés did not help their cause either with their 4-0 loss against Atlético, keeping a two-point deficit between themselves and Los Azulones.
| 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 |
