The Rest Is Football La Liga: Rashford Makes Barca Debut In Controversial Win, Espanyol Stun Atlético & Cazorla Makes Emotional Return
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Aug 19, 2025 
Sid Lowe, a Spanish football expert and host of the Spanish football podcast, and Alex Aljoe from Real Madrid TV, join Gary Lineker to dissect the thrilling opening weekend of La Liga. They tackle the controversy surrounding Barcelona's victory and analyze Atlético Madrid's surprise loss to Espanyol. The returning Santi Cazorla's emotional impact is a heartwarming highlight. Predictions for the league's top contenders spark lively debate, showcasing the thrill and drama of this electrifying season.
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Personal Tie To Real Oviedo
- Sid Lowe supports Real Oviedo because he lived there during his third year at university and attended games.
- His fandom began by chance and now biases his coverage for the season.
Whistle Confusion Created Controversy
- The controversy over Barcelona's second goal stemmed from confusion about whether the referee had stopped play for a head injury.
- VAR couldn't overturn it because the referee's on-field application of protocol, not a rules error, was at issue.
Protocol vs Rule Application Clash
- The referee's body language suggested he might stop play, which muddied expectations when Barca scored.
- The issue highlighted a gap between concussion protocol practice and referee decision-making.