FC Barcelona remained the only side with a perfect record in La Liga after a 4-2 away win at Levante on Matchday 5, while Real Madrid cruised past Rayo Vallecano and Valencia coach Carlos Corberan became the first managerial casualty of the 2026-27 season. The weekend's fixtures also produced a disciplined defensive performance from Atletico Madrid and an encouraging showing by promoted side Racing Santander.

Raphinha Takes Command for Barcelona

Lamine Yamal grabbed the headlines with two goals at the Ciudad de Valencia Stadium, but it was Brazilian winger Raphinha who was again Barcelona's most influential figure in the 4-2 win over Levante. Raphinha orchestrated the first-half attacking moves that produced the goals of Xavi Espart and Yamal, giving the visitors a 2-0 lead inside just 19 minutes.

Notably, Raphinha was absent from the most recent Ballon d'Or nominee list — a snub that raised eyebrows in Barcelona circles. A muscle injury also ruled him out of the recent World Cup, but the silver lining is that the Brazilian has arrived at the new domestic campaign in peak physical condition. His performances so far suggest he is firmly among the form players in European football this autumn.

Real Madrid Ease Past Rayo in Cruise Control

Real Madrid were barely troubled at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Saturday evening, with Kylian Mbappe and Alvaro Carreras putting Jose Mourinho's side 2-0 up within just 17 minutes against Rayo Vallecano. Jude Bellingham added a third before half-time, all but killing the contest before the interval.

Rayo, missing several key players, offered little resistance. The convincing margin reflects the depth of Madrid's attacking options, though the real tests — against sides of comparable quality — are still to come later in the campaign. This was a confidence-building exercise rather than a genuine examination.

Inigo Vicente Emerges as Racing Santander's Midfield Engine

Promoted side Racing Santander claimed their second consecutive home win in La Liga with a 2-1 victory over Deportivo Alaves on Saturday, with midfielder Inigo Vicente proving the creative force behind both goals. Vicente set up striker Yassir Zabiri — who now has four and five goals on the season — for the equaliser, then played the pass that led to Salinas assisting the winner.

The former Athletic Bilbao midfielder had logged fewer than 90 minutes in top-flight football before this season, having impressed consistently in Spain's second tier. Doubts lingered over whether he could step up; his early-season displays are providing a compelling answer. Racing were briefly in contention for the top of the table before Ville Koski's opening goal lead was eventually overturned.

Corberan Sacked as La Liga's First Casualty

Valencia dismissed head coach Carlos Corberan on Sunday, making him the first manager to lose his job in La Liga this season. Valencia sit bottom of the table with just one point from five games after a 1-0 home defeat to Sevilla on Friday — a game in which they failed to register a single shot on target against a Sevilla side that was itself far from its best.

The sacking came just days after Valencia were beaten at home by Barcelona in what was widely described as a humiliating result. Sporting director Ron Gourlay was also dismissed, highlighting a structural breakdown at the club. Critics argue that Corberan was not solely responsible — poor squad planning and an injury crisis compounded his difficulties — but the team's lack of a clear style and visibly diminishing player confidence left the board little choice. Valencia's next appointment will need to address fundamental issues of squad morale and tactical identity, not merely results.

Other Matchday 5 Results

Atletico Madrid claimed a 3-0 win at Real Sociedad, with an 84th-minute penalty from Alejandro Grimaldo and a debut goal from Jonathan David decisive in what was an otherwise competitive contest. Deportivo La Coruna, back in the top flight, maintained their unbeaten start with a 1-1 draw at Getafe.

With Barcelona the only side still without a dropped point after five rounds, Matchday 6 will begin to test whether their early dominance is a sign of genuine title credentials or a function of a favourable opening fixture list.