Getafe 1-0 Barcelona: 5 talking points as Jaime Mata penalty sinks the Blaugrana | La Liga 2020-21

#3 Mata's dead-ball speciality lifts Getafe

Mata scored from the spot, his 25th penalty from 26 attempts!

There are many famous penalty specialists from the current crop of players but one of the most underrated of the bunch is Jaime Mata, whose conversion rate from 12-yards is unbelievable.

Going into the match, the Spaniard had 24 penalties dispatched from 25 attempts in La Liga, so there was a sense of inevitability when he stepped up to take the spot-kick in this match.

Jaime Mata doesn't miss from the spot! 🎯The @GetafeCF striker has scored 25 out of 26 spot kick attempts in #LaLigaSantander & #LaLigaSmartBank. 💙🔥#GetafeBarça pic.twitter.com/0WcTkZwFQl

— LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) October 17, 2020

Mata calmly rolled the ball into the far post down the left, sending Pedro Neto the wrong way. His specialty from the dead balls once again proved to be the key as it was enough to secure all three points for the Azulones.

#4 Nyom's roughhousing go unpunished by awful refereeing

Nyom was booked only once despite several nasty challenges

The abysmal standards of match officiating in La Liga have long been a subject of debate, and it's sure to be sparked again following Saturday's terrible decisions by the referee, especially those concerning Nyom's roughhousing.

The Cameroonian was rash in his conduct and yet, conveniently escaped a sending off. Messi, De Jong, Busquets and most notably, Fati, all got the rough end of his stick while manager Koeman too wasn't spared.

Frankly, Nyom shouldn't have even lasted beyond the first half but in the strangest of circumstances, he completed the whole 90 minutes of the game, picking up just one yellow - for catching Busquets in the 72nd minute.

#5 Another long season in La Liga?

Neither of Real Madrid, Barcelona, or Atletico Madrid have truly impressed so far

It's still early days but the Spanish top flight has offered plenty of surprises already. The standings currently have the likes of Getafe, Cadiz, Granada and Real Betis in top-five positions, with defending champions Real Madrid leading the pack.

However, they haven't been dominant. Saturday's stunning defeat to the Yellow Submarine was the second time in this season already when the Whites have dropped points. Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have endured similar fates, despite playing a game fewer than Los Blancos.

Real Madrid 0-1 CadizGetafe 1-0 BarcelonaPathetic in pink 😬 pic.twitter.com/wwaMfU3sLZ

— Goal (@goal) October 17, 2020

Suffice to say, it hasn't been the most straightforward start to the new campaign for any of the 'big three'. Could this be a sign of another long season in La Liga? With games coming thick and fast, there's real scope for fatigue, even though the season is still in its infancy.

It'd be interesting to see how these sides cope with the congested fixture list as neither of them has truly shown any title intent so far.