Barcelona took advantage of Real Madrid’s absence this weekend to take an 11-point lead over LaLiga as Pedri’s strike in the first half secured a 1-0 win over Villarreal.
A one-two with Robert Lewandowski saw Pedri slip past the Villarreal defense to finish past former Barcelona goalkeeper Pepe Reina in the 18th minute, and there was no going back for the hosts.
Real came into action at this week’s Club World Cup, beating Al-Hilal 5-3 in Saturday’s final, but Los Blancos can take a significant deficit when they take on rock bottom Elche on Wednesday.
Memphis Depay scored his first goal since moving from Barcelona to Atletico Madrid in last month’s transfer window. He spun and dragged past Celta Vigo goalkeeper Ivan Villar in the 89th minute.
Atlético were reduced to 10 men after 70 minutes after a foul by last man Stefan Savic on Haris Seferovic, but with a looming stalemate, Depay struck late as the visitors won 1-0.
Rayo Vallecano remain sixth after drawing 1-1 at Getafe, while Real Valladolid and Osasuna finished goalless.
Runaway Serie A leaders Napoli claimed their sixth successive victory, passing bottom Cremonese 3-0.
Goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Victor Osimhen and Eljif Elmas put Napoli – chasing their first top title since 1990 – 16 points clear of Inter Milan, who face Sampdoria on Monday.
Adrien Rabiot struck for Juventus in a 1-0 win over Fiorentina, while Giulio Donati scored as Monza beat Bologna by the same scoreline to leap them into the table.
Sassuolo came from behind twice to claim a 2–2 draw at Udinese, with Patricio Perez going to his own net in stoppage time of the first half and eventually ensuring it would take a point each.
Hertha BSC improved their chances of survival in the Bundesliga by coming within two safety points after beating Borussia Mönchengladbach 4–1 on a goal.
Nico Elvedi put Gladbach ahead, but struck either side of Jessic Ngankam at half-time and Marton Dardai turned the game upside down. Dodi Lukebakio added a penalty before fellow substitute Derry Scherhant added more polish to the score.
Timo Hubers and a brace from Ellyes Skhiri took Cologne to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt.
Lens could not get back to third in Ligue 1 as goals from Alexandre Lacazette and Rayan Cherki propelled Lyon to a 2-1 win.
Lens would have come back over Monaco, who beat league leaders Paris St Germain on Saturday, and leveled through Deiver Machado, but Cherki had the final say.
Jonathan David’s brace – the first from the penalty spot – gave fifth-placed Lille a 2–0 win over Strasbourg.
Rafael Ratao, Zakaria Aboukhlal and Thijs Dallinga saw Toulouse to a 3-1 victory over Rennes while Christophe Herelle’s own goal, Teji Savanier’s penalty and Elye Wahi’s shot gave Montpellier a 3-0 victory over Brest.
Reims swept Troyes 4-0 aside after goals from Marshall Munetsi, Myziane Maolida, Folarin Balogun and substitute Jens Cajuste.
Ludovic Blas led Nantes to a 1-0 win over Lorient, while Auxerre hit back to secure a 1-1 draw at Angers.