First division, day 3

A six way tie at the top of the table at the end of day three after Atlético Madrid and Barcelona drew 1-1. Van Bronckhorst put the Catalans ahead in the first half but Fernando Torres equalised soon after the restart to keep both sides just behind Espanyol on goal difference. Zaragoza joined the leading group as well after a thrilling 4-3 victory over Albacete, Javi Moreno getting their first two goals.

Sevilla are a point behind the leaders after a convincing 3-0 win over Levante. Brazilians Renato and Baptista (two) got the goals between them. And a last minute strike by Luque gave Deportivo a 1-2 result at Athletic Bilbao, a much needed first victory in the league after their disappointing start to the season.

There was a last minute goal too by Racing Santander, Juanma earning them their first point of the season in a 1-1 draw with Villarreal. Málaga got their first goals of the new campaign, Edgar and Wanchope giving them a 1-2 win over Mallorca even though Amoroso missed a penalty. But Getafe are having trouble getting going, their 1-0 defeat at the hands of Numancia leaving them in bottom spot together with Albacete on zero points. (19.09.04)

Another disastrous performance from Real Madrid as they lost 1-0 at Espanyol, their second defeat in three days. Camacho rested several of his key players, but his side could have gone behind early on had César not saved a twice taken Tamudo penalty. But the reserve keeper could only block Tamudo's header just before half time, and Maxi quickly nipped in to score his fourth in two matches. Madrid could have equalised soon after the break when they too were awarded a penalty, but Kameni dived low to push Ronaldo's spot kick round the post. And to top of a bad week for the "Galacticos", Samuel and Salgado were both sent off in the last quarter of an hour to leave them with nine men.

Three sides top the table on seven points pending Sunday's matches, with Osasuna takng second spot behind Espanyol after coming from behind twice to beat Betis 3-2. Despite hitting the woodwork twice in the first half, the Pamplona based side found themselves behind at the break thanks to a Melli header. Aloisi levelled things after the restart, but Edu restored the lead for the visitors before Melli headed through his own net to square the match once again. Nine minutes from the end though Milosevic got on the end of Expósito's cross to head home the winning goal.

Valencia are the third team sharing the lead after a 3-1 victory over Real Sociedad. Vicente did the early damage,hitting the bar in the opening minutes and then finding Di Vaio with a free kick for him to head past Riesgo for the opening goal. And five minutes after the break the Italian striker was there again to get his second of the night from Aimar's pinpoint pass. Aimar was replaced by Mista a couple of minutes later, his first appearance after being left out of the squad for the last two matches, and the unsettled forward made it three later in the half. Arteta got a consolation goal for the Basques from the penalty spot near the end. (18.09.04)