La Liga Daily Report - 2026-09-18: Lee Kang-in inspires Atlético’s 4-0 win over Osasuna

Atlético Madrid beat Osasuna 4-0 on Wednesday, with Lee Kang-in scoring in his first complete league appearance for the club. The South Korean doubled Atlético’s lead nine minutes into the second half after Jonathan David’s pass, adding to goals from Javi Galán, Robin Le Normand and Álex Baena. The victory gave Diego Simeone’s side four wins, one draw and one defeat from their opening six La Liga matches, leaving them third with 13 points. Lee had previously scored on his league debut against Málaga and now has two goals and one assist in the competition.

Lee’s display carried particular weight because he completed 90 minutes for the first time since joining Atlético and was voted man of the match by supporters. His performance also came before the Madrid derby, where Atlético will face a Real Madrid side sitting two points higher in the table. Spanish and Japanese media have begun discussing whether Lee can assume a greater creative role following Antoine Griezmann’s departure, although the immediate evidence is simply that Simeone’s team have gained momentum and Lee has strengthened his claim for a regular starting place.

Barcelona beat Racing Santander 7-2 on Wednesday to preserve their 100 per cent start to the La Liga season. João Cancelo scored twice, while Raphinha also struck twice, including two penalties, as Barcelona overwhelmed their opponents across the 90 minutes. Gabriel Jesus and Lamine Yamal completed the home side’s scoring, while Mamadou Gueye and Yaser Zabiri replied for Racing. The result formed part of a high-scoring sixth matchday and kept Barcelona three points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the table.

The victory reinforced Barcelona’s early attacking authority under Hansi Flick, with the scoreline giving the leaders another substantial statement before the international break. Cancelo’s two goals and Raphinha’s three-goal contribution showed the spread of their threat, while Yamal’s late finish added to the teenager’s growing influence. Racing managed two responses, but neither changed the direction of the contest. Barcelona’s perfect record means their next fixtures will be played with the pressure of defending an early advantage rather than chasing the leaders.

Real Madrid beat Elche 3-2 on Tuesday after Carlos Espí scored a stoppage-time winner. Madrid had led through an own goal from goalkeeper Matías Dituro and a Kylian Mbappé finish, but Elche levelled through Osorio in the 71st minute and Fer Niño 12 minutes later. Espí, introduced from the bench, settled the contest in the 90th minute and preserved Madrid’s position near the top of La Liga. The victory was Madrid’s fifth in their opening six league matches, despite the late collapse of a two-goal advantage.

The result gave José Mourinho’s team an important response before the derby against Atlético, but the manner of the win also underlined their vulnerability after half-time. Espí has now developed a reputation for decisive late contributions, having also scored against Espanyol earlier in the campaign. Madrid’s points were ultimately secured by a substitute, while Mbappé again featured on the scoresheet. With Barcelona still three points ahead, Mourinho’s side entered the derby needing to turn narrow escapes into more controlled performances.

Fermín López and Dean Huijsen were included in Spain’s first squad since the country won the World Cup in July. Luis de la Fuente recalled both players for the forthcoming Nations League fixtures, with Fermín returning after missing the tournament through injury and Huijsen coming back after being left out of the World Cup group. Espanyol forward Roberto Fernández received his first senior call-up after scoring six goals in six La Liga appearances, while Inter goalkeeper Josep Martínez was also selected for the first time.

The squad changes give Spain a chance to reintroduce players who were absent from the country’s biggest recent success while rewarding strong domestic form. Gavi, Borja Iglesias and Joan García were not included, and Marcos Llorente has retired from international football. Fernández’s selection is especially notable for Espanyol, whose forward has converted his excellent opening to the league campaign into recognition at senior level. The Nations League matches will show how quickly the returning players can fit into a team that entered the international window as world champions.

Atlético Madrid chief executive Miguel Ángel Gil Marín proposed limiting an individual player’s La Liga availability to 31 or 32 matches across a 38-game season. He outlined the idea at the World Football Summit while speaking as a member of UEFA’s Executive Committee representing European clubs. The proposal would not reduce the number of fixtures played by clubs; instead, coaches would be told that a player could be available for only part of the league programme, allowing squads to be managed around that limit.

Gil Marín presented the plan as a response to football’s increasingly crowded calendar, with player workload at the centre of the argument. The measure would require clubs to plan selection and squad depth differently, particularly when domestic matches overlap with European and international commitments. It remains a proposal rather than an adopted competition rule, but its specific figure gives the wider calendar debate a practical shape. Atlético’s executive has said he regularly raises the same idea within UEFA discussions, suggesting the issue will continue to receive attention beyond Madrid.

Real Madrid and Barcelona have held talks with Manchester United teenager JJ Gabriel, according to reports on Friday. Flashscore reported that both clubs had stepped up their interest after the 15-year-old asked United to cancel his registration, while TEAMtalk said discussions with his representatives had been positive. Chelsea are also interested in keeping the player in England. Gabriel has become one of the most prominent young players in English football, and his situation has opened the possibility of a move to Spain once he becomes eligible to explore a transfer to an EU club.

The timing is central to the story because Gabriel turns 16 on 6 October. TEAMtalk reported that his United academy registration runs until the end of the 2026-27 season, while his representatives are exploring the available options. Neither Spanish club has secured the teenager, and the reports describe the situation as open. Madrid and Barcelona’s involvement nevertheless places the contest among the most notable youth recruitment stories connected with La Liga, with both clubs seeking to establish relationships before a potential move becomes possible.