Deadly strikers and defenders offer up a goal feast in the Liga BBVA

If goals are the food of football, then matchday 29 in the Liga BBVA was a Roman banquet. Two players bagged hat-tricks in a week notable for Real Madrid’s goal blitz of Granada and Atlético Madrid winning away from home for the first time in two months. FC Barcelona won yet again, while Sevilla remain unbeaten at home and with just nine matches remaining, the Liga BBVA is set for a thrilling climax.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored five goals against Granada CF

The Madrid striker was the undisputed star of the week, scoring five goals in a single match for the first time in his career as los blancos thrashed Granada 9-1. The Portuguese, who scored in the Clásico two weeks earlier, built on his fine form to lead his side to the biggest win in the Liga BBVA this season, a result Madrid had not achieved since 1967-68. In fact, Madrid had set the bar already this season with their 8-2 demolition of RC Deportivo.

Jérémy Mathieu in goalscoring mood

The FC Barcelona defender gave his side a vital victory against RC Celta with a headed goal to allow them to keep their four-point gap with Real Madrid at the top of the table. It was the French centre-back’s second goal of the season, coming just one game after scoring against Madrid in the Clásico triumph.

A long overdue away win for Atlético Madrid

Diego Simeone’s side ended their away day hoodoo by beating Córdoba CF 2-0. The rojiblancos had not won on their travels since beating SD Eibar 3-1 on 31 January, losing at Celta and Barcelona and drawing at Sevilla and RCD Espanyol. The league champions recovered third place thanks to the three points, with Valencia drawing 0-0 in the local derby with Villarreal CF.

Sevilla still unbeaten at home

Unai Emery’s side beat Athletic Club 2-0 to remain the only unbeaten team at home in the Liga BBVA. The Andalusians have not lost at home in the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán since February 2014 and they move three points from Valencia CF in fourth spot thanks to this victory. The Basque side meanwhile saw their five-game winning streak come to an end but stay eighth, well clear of the relegation zone.

David Barral scores the second hat-trick of his career

The Levante UD striker was the other goalmachine of the week, scoring a hat-trick for the second time in his career. Barral had struck three times in a 4-1 win over Málaga CF on matchday 22 and this weekend was at it again as his side beat UD Almería 4-1, a result which lead to Almería coach Juan Ignacio Martínez losing his job.