La Liga has been one of the most exciting leagues in recent times and is definitely amongst the most competitive league across the top 5 divisions in Europe this season with just seven points separating the first and the fourth-placed team. As 2019 is coming to an end we take a look and some of the most exciting matches that took place over the course of the year in La Liga. FC Barcelona are the two-time defending champions and currently occupy the top spot in the table, two points ahead of nearest rivals Real Madrid. Year Ender 2019 Lionel Messi Special: From Ballon d'Or to FIFA Best Player Award, A look at Top Six Moments of Barcelona Captain This Year.

There were a lot of upsets over the course of the year starting with Real Sociedad thrashing of Real Madrid in Bernabeu in the first match of the year. Villareal vs Barcelona match on April 3rd was the highest-scoring match of the year as both teams shared a point in an eight-goal thriller. Lionel Messi once again dominated the Spanish league as the Argentine finished the year as divisions highest scorer as well as the top assist provider. Some new faces have come to the Spanish first division this season as Real Madrid signed Belgium Superstar Eden Hazard from Chelsea while Atletico Madrid managed to sign young Portuguese midfielder Joao Felix from Benfica. Here are some of the best matches played throughout the year in La Liga. Year Ender 2019: Lionel Messi Starts and Ends Decade As 'The Best'.

Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad – January 6, 2019 – Sociedad Won 2-0

The first match of the year for both the teams and Real Sociedad proved too good for the Spanish Giants. Real Madrid were fresh from their club world cup win while their comeback in La Liga was far from what they expected. Goals from William Jose and Ruben Pardo were enough for the Basque side to come away with all three points.

Madrid vs Sociedad (Photo Credits : Getty Images)

Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid – February 9, 2019 – Real Won 3-1

Real Madrid were in a dire need of a win as FC Barcelona were running away with the title and local rivals Atletico were no pushovers. Casemiro opened the scoring for the away but Antoine Griezmann bought the home side level before half time. The European champions turned on the style in the second half and goals from Ramos and Bale gave the European champions a crucial win.

Casemiro vs Atletico Madrid (Photo Credits : Getty Images)

Sevilla vs Barcelona – February 23, 2019 – Barcelona Won 4-2

Another match at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan, another masterclass by Lionel Messi. Sevilla went into the break with a 2-1 lead with Navas and Mercado scoring either side of Lionel Messi's goal. The Argentine in the second half was too good for the Andalusian side to handle as he completed his 50th career hat-trick. Luis Suarez finished off the match with a goal in extra time.

Barcelona vs Sevilla (Photo Credits : Getty Images)

Villareal vs Barcelona – April 3, 2019 – Match Drawn 4-4

A roller-coaster of a match in which both sides squandered a two-goal advantage during the different stages of the game. Barcelona started in the front foot as Coutinho and Malcom put the Catalan side 2-0 up but ‘Yellow Submarines’ showed great spirit and scored four goals without reply to lead the match 4-2 with five minutes left to play. Alvaro Gonzalez’s red card swung the match in Barca’s favour as Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez scored in injury time to end the match in a draw.

Lionel Messi and Santi Cazorla (Photo Credits : Getty Images)

Osasuna vs Barcelona – August 31, 2019 – Match Drawn 2-2

One of the biggest upset of the 2019-20 season came when Osasuna held Barcelona to a 2-2 draw at home. Roberto Morales opened the scoring for the home side to give them an advantage at the break. But the introduction of Ansu Fati changed the game as the 16-year old scored his first professional goal to get Barcelona level while Arthur Melo put the visitors in front. But a lack of concentration from Gerard Pique gave Osasuna a lifeline and Roberto Morales stepped up and converted the penalty to get an equal share of points.

Osasuna vs Barcelona (Photo Credits : Getty Images)

Espanyol vs Osasuna – December 1, 2019 – Osasuna Won 4-2

A huge battle at the bottom of the table and the La Liga newcomers come up with a crucial win. Marc Roca’s penalty gave the Catalan side an advantage during the break but the visitors turned upped their tempo in the second half and Espanyol could not cope with it. Ruben Garcia, Chimy Avilla, Jon Moncayola and Roberto Morales scored for Osasuna.

Osasuna vs Espanyol (Photo Credits : Getty Images)

Osasuna vs Real Sociedad – December 22, 2019 – Sociedad Won 4-3

Another exciting match involving the newcomers Osasuna. Sociedad started the match on the front foot as goals from Odegaard, Portu and Oyarzabal put the away side 3-0 up indie 30 minutes. The home side fought hard and got two goals back but an Alexander Isak strike, ten minutes from time proved vital as it put the away side two goals to the good. Chimy Avilla got one back but it was just a consolation goal in the end.

Real Sociedad (Photo Credits : Getty Images)

FC Barcelona are once again leading the La Liga table during Christmas and are in a good position to win their third league title in a row. Real Madrid need to get back in form if they want to trump Barcelona and get their first Spanish league title since 2017. Atletico, Sevilla, Sociedad and Getafe are in a four-horse race for the remaining two Champions League spots.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 23, 2019 04:33 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).