Liga F round-up: Barcelona race out of blocks as Real Madrid make sluggish start | OneFootball

Barcelona kicked off the defence of their Liga F crown with a dominant 8-0 victory over Alhama in the opening weekend of action. However, the same cannot be said for Real Madrid, who required a late goal to take a point from their 2025/26 opener against DUX Logroño.

Let’s take a dive into the first lot of results as the new season in Spain gets underway.

Pina nets quick-fire hat-trick in Barcelona demolition

Newly-promoted Alhama endured a difficult return to the top flight after they slumped to a heavy 8-0 defeat to Barcelona on the opening day of the Liga F season.

Caroline Graham Hansen netted a brace as Barcelona raced into a six-goal lead before the hour mark. Clàudia Pina then came off the bench to pile the misery on the visitors with a clinical display. The Spain international netted a hat-trick in less than half an hour to take Barcelona’s tally to eight at the Estadi Johan Cruyff.

Contrasting fortunes for Madrid rivals

Real Madrid stumbled on the opening weekend of the 2025/26 Liga F season. In fact, Las Blancas were fortunate to snatch a point from their away clash with DUX Logroño. María Méndez opened the scoring, before Logroño’s Isina produced a spectacular long-range effort to level the scoreline.

The hosts must have thought they had clinched all three points when they took the lead courtesy of a Merle Frohms own goal in the 78th minute. However, Signe Bruun spared Real Madrid’s blushes, netting a stoppage-time equaliser to salvage a draw.

Nevertheless, new Las Blancas boss Pau Quesada will still be underwhelmed with the result and performance in his first game in charge. Quesada will be looking for a swift improvement ahead of Friday’s derby with Atlético Madrid.

In contrast to their rivals, Atleti will head into matchday two in a confident mood after sweeping past Espanyol in their league opener. Summer signing Macarena Portales was among the scorers, netting the fourth goal in Atleti’s 5-0 away victory.

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Granada and Sevilla secure away wins

Sonya Keefe made a dream start to her Granada career, marking her competitive debut with a match-winning brace. The Chile international saw her opener cancelled out by María Gabaldón, ensuring the two sides went into the break on level terms. However, Keefe was presented with the chance to win the game when she was fouled in the box in the second period. The 22-year-old forward shouldered responsibility to drive her penalty into the bottom corner.

Like Granada, Sevilla also enjoyed success on their travels on matchday one. Rosa Márquez netted a 26th-minute opener in Sunday’s meeting with Eibar. The former Real Betis winger neatly worked the space to fire in at the near post. Márquez’s first goal in a Sevilla shirt proved enough to seal all three points.

A Madrid CFF comeback and two stalemates

Madrid CFF staged a late fightback to clinch a point in their season opener against Real Sociedad on Sunday. La Real were in a commanding position at the break after Aiara Agirrezabala netted a first-half brace at the Estadio Fernando Torres. As the hosts appeared to be slipping towards defeat, Allegra Poljak embarked on an impressive run from the left flank, driving into the box before slotting past Julia Arrula. Madrid CFF completed the comeback in the 81st minute when Malou Marcetto headed in from Kamilla Melgaard’s deep cross.

Meanwhile, Real Sociedad’s Basque rivals Athletic Club had to settle for a goalless draw with Costa Adeje Tenerife on matchday one. Deportivo La Coruña and Badalona were also involved in a stalemate in their meeting at Riazor.

Best goal of Liga F matchday one

Logroño’s Isina netted the goal of the weekend with her stunning long-range effort against Real Madrid. Isina latched onto a loose ball and spotted Frohms off her line, before she powered her right-foot shot over the back-peddling goalkeeper. The effort was the perfect way for newly-promoted Logroño to kick off their Liga F campaign.

Does Liga F have a VAR problem?

VAR was used for the first time Liga F on the opening day of the season. However, the system is different from the one seen at Euro 2025. Teams have two requests to challenge on-field decisions, while every goal is reviewed. Unfortunately, it did not seem fit for purpose on matchday one, with long stoppages breaking up the flow of games.

Instead of having a dedicated VAR official, the referee is required to visit the pitch-side monitor to review every goal, which is quite often if you happen to be officiating a Barcelona match. It may only be the first matchday, but it already feels that the system needs to be altered to be a positive addition to the league.

Liga F matchday one results in full:

Levante 1-2 Granada

Athletic Club 0-0 Costa Adeje Tenerife

Deportivo La Coruña 0-0 Badalona

Barcelona 8-0 Alhama

Espanyol 0-5 Atlético Madrid

Eibar 0-1 Sevilla

Madrid CFF 2-2 Real Sociedad

DUX Logroño 2-2 Real Madrid

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