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Match round-up - First Division, Day 2

Real Madrid dropped points in the last match on Sunday after they were held to a 2-2 draw by Valencia, and Zidane’s side end the weekend down in fifth spot. Marco Asensio fired the locals in front in the tenth minute after intercepting a poor pass from Rodrigo, but Carlos Soler made it all square a few minutes later after Gayà and Toni Lato combined to set him up. Benzema in particular wasted several chances to restore the lead, and with a quarter of an hour to go new signing Kondogbia put the Ches ahead after Rodrigo laid the ball back. Asensio got his second of the night however with a direct free kick, and only a great save by Neto prevented Benzema from winning it in the end.

All the other games on Sunday ended in 0-1 away wins, Leganés the surprise joint leaders after they beat Espanyol 0-1 in the Cornellà stadium. Mantovani got the only goal with just under half an hour on the clock, following up after Pau López saved from Gabriel and Eraso, and the local keeper had to keep out Szymanowski and Gabriel before the break. Moreno, Baptistao and Sergio García could all have equalised after the restart, but Gumbau wasted a great chance to wrap things up when free on goal near the end.

Once again Sevilla coach Berizzo made several changes to his line-up after Tuesday night’s Champions League play-off, and his team struggled before eventually running out 0-1 winners against the newly promoted Getafe. Amath in particular failed to convert a good chance before the break, and Sergio Rico had to save a couple of times from Jorge Molina. However with seven minutes to go Ganso got on the end of Mercado’s centre to turn the ball past Guaita with his heel, and only a good save by the local keeper prevented Muriel from making it two near the end.

Elsewhere Athletic Bilbao beat neighbours Eibar by the same scoreline. Kuko Ziganda’s side were fresh from their Europa League win against Panathinaikos, but Kepa had to save from Capa early on, and Inui shot wide before Aduríz got on the end of a Williams centre to head the opener shortly before the break. After the interval though Kepa was in action again to keep out Kike García a couple of times, and the result was in doubt until Joan Jordán was sent off for a second booking with a couple of minutes to go. (27.08.17)

Barcelona join Real Sociedad on six points after a 0-2 victory at Alavés on Saturday evening. Pacheco had to make several saves before the break, in particular from a Messi penalty after Ely fouled Piqué in the area. However Messi scored twice after the restart, the first with a shot which went in off Alexis, and the second after picking up a headed pass from Alcácer. Ter Stegen had to keep out Romero after that, but Messi could have had a hat-trick had his shot not hit the bar later on.

Atlético Madrid are up to third pending Sunday’s games after they thrashed Las Palmas 1-5, Correa and Carrasco getting them off to a good start with two in the first five minutes. Viera tested Oblak and Lemos went close with a couple of free kicks either side of the break, and Calleri got one back with a header from Momo’s cross. But Koke scored two more, the first after Bigas only partly cleared Carrasco’s centre, and the second with an acrobatic overhead kick, and Thomas rounded things off near the end.

The newly promoted Girona and Levante are level on points with Atlético however, the Catalans beating Málaga 1-0 for their first ever win in the top flight. Borja García tried his luck a couple of times before Roberto could only push out a shot from Portu, and Alcalá was on hand to turn in the rebound, the referee waving away claims for offside. Granell and Stuani could have increased the lead, and the visitors only troubled Iraizoz with a couple of long efforts from Rosales and Mula later on.

Levante meanwhile drew 2-2 with Deportivo to build on their victory against Villarreal last weekend. Fede Cartabia and Sidnei put the visitors two up in the first half hour, the first from Andone’s assist, and the second with a header from a Çolak corner. Morales and Jason had brought good saves out of Rubén before that though, and Bardhi got one back before the break with a well struck free kick. With a quarter of an hour to go Morales was sent off for a second bookable offence, but soon afterwards Ivi saved a point with a questionable penalty after the young striker clashed with Juanfran in the area. (26.08.17)

Real Sociedad are off to a flying start this year, a 3-0 win over Villarreal on Friday night giving them maximum points from their first two games. Xabi Prieto celebrated his 500 th appearance for the club heading on an Oyarzabal corner for Willian José to net the first, and then scoring the second himself after latching on to a loose ball in the area. And Juanmi picked up a long Elustondo free kick to add a third on the stroke of half time in a play in which visiting keeper Andrés picked up what looked like a serious injury. With Asenjo still recovering from knee surgery, third choice keeper Barbosa came on to save from Vela and Oyarzabal, but it was a second defeat in a row for Escribá’s side, who find themselves down at the bottom of the table.

Later in the evening Betis clocked up their first points of the season after beating Celta 2-1. There was a packed crowd to celebrate the inauguration of the renovated Benito Villamarín stadium, but things went quiet in the tenth minute when an unmarked Maxi Gómez headed a Wass corner in off Camarasa. However soon afterwards Sergio León headed the equaliser from Guardado’s centre, and León and Guardado went close before Feddal headed the winner following a short corner with twenty minutes to go. It was the second time in a week that Celta have thrown away the lead, and they end the day still looking for their first point of the new campaign. (25.08.17)