Spanish La Liga 2026/27 Matchday 9 Recap: Barcelona 9 From 9, Real Madrid vs Sevilla 4-1 Before El Clásico

Before we get to Real Madrid vs Sevilla, the headline: Barcelona can't stop winning. Saturday's 5-2 win at Real Betis made it nine wins from nine, and according to beIN Sports, they're only the second team in La Liga history to start a season that way. The other one? Real Madrid in 1968-69. As a Madrid fan, I'm holding onto that history with both hands.

Real Madrid vs Sevilla: Kylian Mbappé, Arda Güler and Yan Diomande celebrate a Real Madrid goal against Sevilla at the Bernabéu in Madrid.

Barcelona 9 From 9: Yamal Leads the Way at Betis

Lamine Yamal opened the scoring on 10 minutes, then set up Gabriel Jesus after the break. Rodri, Eric García and Dani Olmo also scored, while Valentín Gómez and Abde Ezzalzouli answered for Betis. It got nasty: Facundo Bernal was sent off for headbutting Yamal, and the Betis crowd booed him all night. Hansi Flick's team now has 27 points and a +30 goal difference. Plus thirty. After nine games.

Real Madrid vs Sevilla 4-1: Mourinho's Big Week

Now my Real Madrid, and what a week. On Wednesday, José Mourinho went back to Rome, the city where he coached for two and a half years, and his team trailed Roma 3-1 after Donyell Malen scored twice early in the second half. Then Madrid scored three late goals in about seven minutes, all from corners: Carlos Espi, Endrick and Antonio Rüdiger in the 90th minute. Final score 4-3. Mbappé had scored our first goal on his 100th Champions League appearance. I don't know how Mourinho does it, but my heart rate does.

Sunday at the Bernabéu was calmer. Arda Güler finished a fast counter from the edge of the box on 30 minutes after Jude Bellingham and Yan Diomande carried it forward. Seven minutes later, Bellingham backheeled to Kylian Mbappé, who turned his defender, went around the goalkeeper and scored. In the second half, Mbappé won a penalty and chipped it down the middle like it was a Sunday kickabout in the park. Manu Bueno pulled one back for Sevilla on 80, and Diomande answered two minutes later with a solo run and a rocket. Real Madrid 4, Sevilla 1.

The best moment for me came late. Éder Militão came on in the 85th minute after about six months out, and the Bernabéu stood up for him. We need him healthy. We need everybody healthy.

Mourinho called it a beautiful win and said his team controlled the game from start to finish. He also defended rotating his lineup, saying many players deserve minutes. Madrid have now won all six home games this season, according to the club's own report.

La Liga Title Race: Barcelona Six Clear Before El Clásico

Here's the problem. Madrid sit third on 21 points, six behind Barcelona and one behind Atlético Madrid, who won 1-0 at Espanyol with a Baena goal in the 89th minute. Two defeats already this season, and Barça haven't dropped a point. If Madrid lose next Sunday, the gap is nine. I can't think about it. I'm thinking about it.

Elsewhere, Real Sociedad thrashed Málaga away, with Mikel Oyarzabal scoring twice, and Málaga are still looking for their first win. Celta Vigo beat Alavés 2-1, and Osasuna beat Racing de Santander 2-0.

Verdicts

• Barcelona: Nine from nine with Yamal doing this at his age. Scary.
• Real Madrid: Two big wins in one week, plenty of character, and the attack is clicking. Now prove it in Barcelona.
• Mourinho: Love him or hate him, the man knows how to win a big week. Next week is bigger.

Up next: Real Madrid host RB Leipzig (Champions League), then visit Barcelona in El Clásico. That's the big one.