La Liga Round 4 Review: Barcelona Thrash Valencia 5-0 to Lead, Alaves Emerge as Surprise Package

Let's start with Alaves. You may not have paid much attention to this team before, but their performance in this round shocked everyone. They beat Osasuna 5-2 at home. Although the scoreline looks one-sided, the match itself was full of twists and turns. Alaves showed a strong attacking desire in the first half, with Lucas Boye firing a long-range shot into the corner where the goalkeeper had no chance.

Mariano Diaz then added another goal, and Alaves looked ready to take a two-goal lead. However, Budimir pulled one back shortly after the second half began, bringing the suspense back. Alaves were not affected, and five minutes later Lucas Boye stepped up again with a stunning strike that was a contender for the best goal of the round. The shot was powerful and precise, flying directly into the top right corner.

To everyone's surprise, Budimir scored another penalty to complete his brace and reduce the score to 2-3. Many probably wondered whether the match could really be turned around. But that was not how it ended. In the 68th minute, Lucas Boye headed home to complete his hat-trick. Scoring with a long shot, a spectacular strike and a header in one match showed his quality.

Ibanez then added another goal to put the result beyond doubt. After four matches, Alaves had three wins and one draw, collecting 10 points and rising directly to second place. Is this the biggest surprise package of the season? That would not be an exaggeration. A team that was not highly expected has reached this position through determination and strong execution.

Another interesting match was Espanyol against Sevilla. The storyline was almost more dramatic than a television show. Sancet was sent off with a red card for a tackle in the 56th minute, leaving Sevilla with one fewer player. Espanyol, with a numerical advantage, should have pushed forward, but Sevilla, despite being down a player, scored first.

Stanciu's shot inside the box put Espanyol in immediate trouble. The atmosphere in the stadium must have become tense, as trailing by a goal while playing against ten men would make any team nervous. But that is the charm of football: you never know what will happen next.

In the dying moments of stoppage time, Marcos Fernandez stepped up. He rose high and headed the ball firmly into the net. A dramatic equalizer. The goal not only earned Espanyol a valuable point but also answered those who had doubted them. However, Espanyol have now gone three consecutive matches without a win despite earning a point this round.

Of course, Barcelona were the brightest team of the round. They crushed Valencia 5-0 away, turning the match into a demonstration of their quality. Barcelona controlled the entire game, and Valencia had almost no response. Yamal opened the scoring in the sixth minute after receiving a clever pass from Fermin and calmly finishing. It was a display of young talent, with quick reactions and intelligent decision-making.

Fermin then added a goal of his own. After halftime, he provided another excellent assist, allowing Raphinha to finish into an empty net. The match had completely become Barcelona's one-sided performance. Fermin produced a perfect stat line of one goal and two assists and has become an indispensable part of Barcelona's midfield.

Olmo was another pleasant surprise. After coming on as a substitute, he delivered an outstanding performance. He first assisted Pedri's long-range goal and then helped Yamal complete a solo run and score. Yamal's goal also completed his brace. With the season only beginning, Yamal is already proving he is one of the most promising young players in world football.

This big win made Barcelona's momentum even stronger. They have won all four matches, collected 12 points and sit firmly at the top of the table. Such a start is rare in Barcelona's recent history. The team's chemistry is improving, the attack is producing goals from multiple players, and there have been no major defensive problems. Who would dare underestimate this Barcelona side?

Real Madrid's performance in this round was disappointing. Their record of three wins and one loss dropped them to third place with nine points. In previous seasons, Real Madrid were usually very consistent at leading or staying near the top of the table. Now, it appears they need to make some adjustments.

Real Betis also have nine points and sit fourth. The team has steadily improved in recent years and is no longer an ordinary mid-table side that can be easily handled. Their style combines technical football with physical strength, allowing them to find their place in the La Liga environment.

Looking at the table, the current La Liga competition is very interesting. The gaps among the top teams are small, meaning every match result could cause major changes in the standings. The emergence of a surprise team like Alaves has added more uncertainty to the league and increased fans' expectations for upcoming matches.

However, four matches are a very short period in a season, and everything has only just begun. Can Alaves maintain this momentum? Can Barcelona continue their winning streak? What adjustments will Real Madrid make? The answers will only be revealed with time. At least for now, La Liga has shown a thrilling and unpredictable start, which is already enough to excite fans.