5⃣news: Academy shines, fallen star, nail-biting league races | OneFootball

This January 5th is filled with gifts, but also with news.

So here are the five news stories you can't miss this Monday...

Real Madrid thrashes Betis

📸 PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU - AFP or licensors

Real Madrid, under Xabi Alonso, put on a striking display in a match where Gonzalo García shone in one area and Thibaut Courtois in the other.

The forward from 'La Fábrica', like the other two scorers of the match, Fran García and Raúl Asencio, showed what he's capable of in front of the Bernabéu with a perfect 'hat-trick', scoring with both feet and a header.

Opposing them was a Betis team fragile in defense, especially with their central defenders, but fighting until the end led by 'Cucho' Hernández and Aitor Ruibal.

Real Sociedad halts Simeone's Atleti

📸 ANDER GILLENEA - AFP or licensors

It's not a good start to the year for Atlético de Madrid. The 'rojiblancos' dropped two points at Anoeta after Gonçalo Guedes' equalizer.

A draw wouldn't be a disaster, but considering the poor start to the season by 'Cholo's' team, every mistake now hurts much more.

They're hoping for 'vendetta' in the Spanish Super Cup, where they will face Real Madrid in the semifinals.

A heart-stopping relegation

📸 Rafa Babot - 2026 Getty Images

The league is tightening at the top, but also at the bottom. There are five teams fighting for survival within just six points.

The defeats of Mallorca and Valencia have allowed Oviedo to get closer by one point and both Girona and Levante by three after conquering Son Moix and Sánchez Pizjuán respectively.

But beware, they're not the only ones...

'Slip-ups' in Manchester and Liverpool

📸 OLI SCARFF - AFP or licensors

Manchester United had managed to get closer to the European spots in the Premier League and had a serious opportunity to match Liverpool, but Amorim's team disappointed again, and the 'Amorim OUT' chants are back.

On the other hand, Manchester City, the main pursuer of an Arsenal that did their homework on Saturday, drew against Chelsea, who no longer have Enzo Maresca.

📸 Justin Setterfield - 2026 Getty Images

And if that wasn't enough of a good day for Arsenal and Aston Villa, Liverpool also dropped points, drawing against Fulham.

'Three-way race' in Serie A

📸 PIERO CRUCIATTI - AFP or licensors

Inter, Milan, and Napoli are doing their homework and are already making a difference with their pursuers after the 'slip-ups' of Juventus, Roma, and Bologna.

This Sunday opened with Napoli's 0-2 victory over Lazio with goals from Rrahmani and Spinazzola. A match also marked by the three expulsions that occurred during it.

On the other hand, Inter also did their homework by winning 3-1 against a Bologna fragile at the back and overwhelmed by a 'tsunami' called Lautaro Martínez, who shone brightly.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

📸 Denis Doyle - 2026 Getty Images