La Liga 2026/27 Matchday 11 Recap: Racing vs Real Madrid 0-3, Three-Way Title Race

Racing vs Real Madrid: Yan Diomande of Real Madrid celebrates a goal at El Sardinero in Santander.

Racing vs Real Madrid 0-3: Game Over by Half-Time

A week after winning the Clásico 2-1 at Camp Nou, Madrid went to El Sardinero, where Racing had won three and drawn two of their five home games. That unbeaten home record was in trouble after 11 minutes.

Racing's Prati brought down Kylian Mbappé in the box and referee Munuera Montero pointed to the spot. The call was disputed. Mbappé did not care. Julen Agirrezabala guessed the right way and still could not stop it, days after Mbappé finished second in the Ballon d'Or.

Racing nearly hit back, but Thibaut Courtois stopped a shot from Iker Luque with his foot.

Midway through the half, Arda Güler slid a pass into space, Jude Bellingham ran onto it, went around Agirrezabala and rolled the ball into an empty net. That was Bellingham's 50th goal for Real Madrid in all competitions, in his 154th game.

Then came the goal of the afternoon. After a corner, Racing cleared a Bellingham effort to the edge of the box, and Yan Diomande hit it first time on the volley into the top corner. Three goals before half-time in a league away game, for the first time since May 2024.

Here is the coach in me. Diomande was waiting at the edge of the box when the clearance came. I tell my players every week that the second ball belongs to whoever expects it. Diomande expected it.

The second half was quieter. Mbappé hit the post, and Racing had more of the ball without really testing Courtois. With about 20 minutes left the referee gave Racing a penalty for an Aurélien Tchouaméni handball, then went to the VAR screen and cancelled it. In stoppage time Bellingham scored again, but it was offside.

Mourinho vs. the Sardinero Crowd

The Racing fans were loud and hostile all afternoon, and José Mourinho had an answer for them. After the cancelled penalty he said some people "don't know the rules." Classic Mourinho: say it once, let everybody argue for a week.

He was calmer about his own team, saying they are not at 100 per cent yet but are growing, and that after less than four months the players understand his character as a coach. He also explained why he started Trent Alexander-Arnold, who had not played for a few games, instead of Denzel Dumfries: Trent's technique would help against a team that presses. Trent played the full 90.

The numbers back up the mood. That is four straight league wins, Madrid's best run in 25 league rounds, and six straight wins in all competitions. Mbappé has now scored against all 24 La Liga opponents he has faced. Diomande is the first Madrid player this season with at least four goals and four assists in all competitions.

I have been nervous about this team since August. For the first time this season, I am not nervous. I am EXCITED.

Barcelona Score Six, Simeone Equals a Legend

Barcelona responded to defeats against PSG and Real Madrid in the best way possible. Raphinha scored twice, Lamine Yamal scored twice, Fermín López scored one and set up two, and Anthony Gordon added the sixth. Raphinha now has 15 league goals in 10 games, the most in Europe's top five leagues, and Hansi Flick celebrated his 100th win as Barcelona coach.

Atlético won at Levante with goals from Álex Grimaldo and Giuliano Simeone. That is seven straight league wins, and it moved Diego Simeone level with Luis Aragonés on 344 La Liga wins as a coach, the all-time record.

Around La Liga: Late Drama and a Basque Derby

Getafe fell behind against Sevilla, then scored three times from the 68th minute, with Orel Mangala finishing it off in the 94th for a 3-1 win.

Athletic Club won the Basque derby 2-1 against Real Sociedad, with goals from Iñaki Williams and a Berenguer penalty.

Rayo Vallecano beat Celta 3-0, with Jorge de Frutos scoring twice.

At the bottom, Málaga are last with five points and no wins in 11 games after losing 2-1 at Betis. Valencia won 1-0 at Elche, their coach Javier Aguirre's first win at the club, but they are still 19th. Their next opponent? Real Madrid.

Verdicts

• Real Madrid: Six wins in a row and a team finally playing for its coach. The penalty was soft, the win was not.
• Barcelona: Six goals answer a lot of questions, but not the question of what happens at the Metropolitano.
• Atlético: Seven straight wins and Simeone in the history books. They are the most dangerous team in this race.

Up next: Real Madrid at AEK Athens (Champions League), then at Valencia (La Liga). Biggest game of the round: Atlético Madrid v Barcelona, at the Metropolitano.

Atlético or Barcelona next Sunday? Tell me on Instagram @soccermaniak801.