MADRID: Real Madrid beat Sevilla 4-1 at home on Sunday to stay within six points of FC Barcelona ahead of next week's first Clasico of the season.
Arda Guler opened the scoring with an unstoppable first-time finish in the 30th minute. Kylian Mbappe doubled the lead shortly afterward and converted a penalty in the 63rd minute to make it 3-0.
Manu Bueno pulled one back for Sevilla in the 80th minute, before Yan Diomande wrapped up the win with a late strike eight minutes from time. Vinicius Jr missed the match as he began a four-game suspension.
In Sunday's other matches, Celta Vigo won 2-1 at home to Deportivo Alaves, with all three goals coming in the second half.
Ferran Jutgla opened the scoring in the 53rd minute with a first-time finish from Javi Rodriguez's assist, and Rodriguez doubled the lead himself in the 71st minute. Hugo Novoa pulled one back for Alaves with an individual effort late in the game.
Jagoba Arrasate's second spell as Osasuna coach got off to a winning start with a 2-0 home victory over Racing Santander.
Ante Budimir converted a ninth-minute penalty to give Osasuna the lead, and Asier Osambela sealed the victory in the 88th minute against a side that enjoyed more possession but created few clear chances.
Malaga remains bottom of La Liga and without a win after a 5-2 home defeat to Real Sociedad. Takefusa Kubo put the visitors ahead in the third minute, and Orri Oskarsson doubled their lead before halftime.
Adrian Nino gave Malaga hope in the 54th minute, but Mikel Oyarzabal restored Real Sociedad's two-goal advantage five minutes later.
Pablo Martinez pulled Malaga back to 3-2 in the 66th minute, but Oyarzabal scored his second a minute later. Goncalo Guedes then completed the scoring.
Barcelona loses Garcia, Kounde to injuries ahead of PSG clash
FC Barcelona confirmed Sunday that defenders Eric Garcia and Jules Kounde will miss Tuesday's Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain with injuries, with Garcia also ruled out of next weekend's match against Real Madrid.
Garcia faces up to four weeks on the sidelines with a thigh injury, while Kounde's availability for Sunday's meeting with Real Madrid remains uncertain because of an ankle sprain.
"Eric Garcia has sustained a muscle injury to the rectus femoris in his right thigh. The recovery period is expected to be between three and four weeks," Barcelona said on its official website.
The injury means Garcia will also miss upcoming matches against Alaves and Aston Villa.
Kounde's injury is less serious, although the French defender will be unavailable for the Champions League clash with PSG.
The club confirmed that Kounde "has sustained a sprain to his left ankle and will be unavailable for the match against PSG."
Barcelona added that his availability for the Clasico would depend on his recovery.
There was better news for Gerard Martin, who was substituted at halftime during Saturday's 5-2 La Liga victory at Real Betis.
The defender suffered only bruising and is expected to be available against PSG.