Real Madrid had a chance to respond after Barcelona defeated Osasuna at home in Matchweek 7 of the La Liga to retake the top spot, but they were unable to do so as they were held to a draw and prevented from doing so by goal differential.
Prior to the draw, Real Madrid had a perfect record (six wins out of six), but they were unable to score after Osasuna tied the tally early in the second half. The Blaugrana, on the other hand, have a better goal differential in large part because of the defence, which has only allowed one goal all year.
The two giants may have rivalries for the top spot in La Liga this year. With a convincing 4-0 victory over Almeria, Athletic Bilbao sent a message to the rest of the league and moved up to third place in the standings, just three points behind the leader.
La Liga table, standings 2022/23
Updated as of Sunday, Oct. 2
| Pos | Team | Points | Matches Played | Goals Scored | Goal Difference | Next Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Barcelona | 19 | 7 | 19 | +18 | vs. CEL, Oct. 9 |
| 2. | Real Madrid | 19 | 7 | 18 | +12 | @ GET, Oct. 8 |
| 3. | Athletic Bilbao | 16 | 7 | 16 | +12 | @ SEV, Oct. 8 |
| 4. | Real Betis | 15 | 7 | 10 | +5 | @ VAL, Oct. 9 |
| 5. | Atletico Madrid | 13 | 7 | 12 | +6 | vs. GIR, Oct. 8 |
| 6. | Osasuna | 13 | 7 | 8 | +2 | vs. VAL, Oct. 7 |
| 7. | Real Sociedad | 13 | 7 | 12 | +1 | vs. VIL, Oct. 9 |
| 8. | Villarreal | 12 | 7 | 10 | +8 | @ SOC, Oct. 9 |
| 9. | Valencia | 10 | 7 | 12 | +5 | @ OSA, Oct. 7 |
| 10. | Mallorca | 8 | 7 | 6 | -2 | @ ELC, Oct. 10 |
| 11. | Celta Vigo | 10 | 7 | 9 | -4 | @ BAR, Oct. 9 |
| 12. | Girona | 7 | 7 | 10 | -2 | @ ATM, Oct. 8 |
| 13. | Rayo Vallecano | 7 | 6 | 7 | -1 | vs. ELC, Oct. 3 |
| 14. | Getafe | 7 | 7 | 8 | -7 | vs. RMA, Oct. 8 |
| 15. | Real Valladolid | 7 | 7 | 6 | -7 | vs. BET, Oct. 9 |
| 16. | Espanyol | 5 | 7 | 9 | -5 | @ CAD, Oct. 9 |
| 17. | Sevilla | 5 | 7 | 7 | -6 | vs. ATH, Oct. 8 |
| 18. | Almeria | 4 | 7 | 4 | -7 | vs. RAY, Oct. 8 |
| 19. | Cadiz | 4 | 7 | 1 | -13 | vs. ESP, Oct. 9 |
| 20. | Elche | 1 | 6 | 2 | -14 | @ RAY, Oct. 3 |
