Spain’s top flight is two days into a new season, and here’s a roundup of all of Sunday’s action.
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Atletico Madrid 1-0 Getafe
It wasn’t done in aesthetically pleasing fashion, but Atletico Madrid won their first opening season game in four years.
In fact, the first half was rough with both Atletico and Getafe loosing players to straight red cards. Getafe’s Jorge Molina saw red for a studs-up challenge in the 38th minute, while Renan Lodi was asked to leave the field in his debut for Los Colchoneros.
Summer signing Alvaro Morata proved to be the difference for Atletico, however. Assisted by former Tottenham fullback Kieran Trippier, the team’s academy product scored early on in the 23rd minute – the goal made Atletico one of eight clubs to start the season with three points.
$140 million signing Joao Felix also made his La Liga debut, and impressed the home crowd with a dazzling run in the second half that ended drawing a penalty for Atletico. Morata missed.
Not the smoothest of games for Diego Simeone’s side, but like Real Madrid, they already have an edge on Barcelona.
Espanyol 0-2 Sevilla
Julen Lopetegui can finally breathe (and coach) in peace.
Following a series of unfortunate events with the Spanish national team and Real Madrid, Lopetegui and Sevilla started their new era in a winning way.
Sergio Reguilon got things started for the visiting side with a tap in inside the six-yard box. And in the final minutes, no stranger to stepping up for Sevilla, Nolito slotted one past Diego Lopez.
With only two shots on frame to speak for them, Espanyol was one, two steps behind Los Hispalenses, who look for another top-six finish in Spain’s top-flight league.
Sevilla’s young quest for that continues as they travel to Granada. Meanwhile, Espanyol have no time to waist with a Europa League play-off bout against Ukrainian side Zorya lined up midweek.
Elsewhere in La Liga
Real Betis 1-2 Real Valladolid
Alaves 1-0 Levante
