Spanish La Liga, Week 7: Barcelona Cruise To 3-0 Win Against Racing Santander After Real Madrid Crush Real Betis

Athletic Bilbao pumped the brakes in the second half and allowed Osasuna to score in stoppage time - Javad Nekounam converted a penalty after a Javi Martinez handball - but that was simply because they didn’t have to push the pace in the final 45. They were already up 3-0.

Their first half performance was nothing short of stunning. After 30 minutes of building up their attack and coming into the game, Muniain broke the deadlock with a 30th minute goal that opened the floodgates and set the stage for a great end to the half. Igor Gabilondo added another in the 38th, then Javi Martínez scored with a header following a set piece just before the whistle blew for halftime.

Oh, and the key number here: 82 percent Barcelona possession. Wow.

Real Madrid are having a decent little season but not enough people are talking about the season Gonzalo Higuain is having. Since returning to a regular starter’s role with Madrid in late September, the Argentinian forward has scored a remarkable ten goals for club and country. And that doesn’t even tell the half of the run of form he’s on...

Why yes, that is three hat-tricks in four games. I don’t think any further words would really do that feat justice. The man is on one of the most absurd scoring streaks I’ve ever seen.

Neither shots or possession were much of a problem at the Bernabeu on Saturday, much to the surprise of absolutely no one. Madrid were neither brilliant or poor in the first half, and while the 0-0 score at the break wasn’t an injustice or anything along those lines, it was pretty obvious that a Madrid goal or four was on the way.