Real Madrid conceded in the sixth minute courtesy of former Manchester United Academy player Largie Ramazani, the earliest they have conceded on opening day since Sergio Aguero scored in the 58 seconds for Atletico in 2007.
The defending Champions were behind for most part of the game albeit Lucas Vazquez had the ball in the net late in the second half but he was flagged offside before scoring the goal.
The Spaniard would not not be denied one minute after the hour mark, reacting quick to fire home from close range after Vinicius Junior had been denied by goalkeeper, Fernando Martinez.
Rodrygo Ely fell Luka Modric in a promising free-kick position and David Alaba was subbed on just in time to take it. The Austrian fired home, beating the goalkeeper to seal a 2-1 win for the visitors.
Alaba is only the second player score a free-kick goal in the La Liga since the start of last season, alongside Real Betis’ Nabil Fekir while Real Madrid started four French players, in Karim Benzema, Aurélien Tchouameni, Édouardo Camavinga and Ferland Mendy, for the first time in the club’s history.
Barcelona were held to a goalless draw on Saturday evening by Rayo Vallecano, who are now three games unbeaten against the Spotify Camp Nou landlords.
Barcelona have now failed to score in each of their last three LaLiga games for the first time in 19 years while Rayo Vallecano have also kept three consecutive clean sheets against Xavi’s side.
Prior to the start of their last three meetings, Barcelona had won each of their previous 13 matches against Rayo Vallecano but new manager, Andoni Iraola has lost one, won two and drawn one in four games against the Catalan.
He also becomes the first manager to keep three consecutive clean sheets against Barcelona in the La Liga while it is only the second time Barcelona have drawn a home game on opening weekend after first doing so against Real Sociedad in 1968.
A big blow for Xavi and Barcelona in their quest to dethrone Real Madrid of the La Liga title as points against these minors are very crucial come the end of the season and playing at home, they should know that they should have done better.
On Friday, Sevilla kickoff the La Liga season with a 2-1 defeat at Osasuna, their first oss against Los Rojillos since May 2013, ending a run of ten games unbeaten.
Ezequiel Avila gave Osasuna a ninth minute lead with the first goal of La Liga 2022/23 season but Rafa Mir responded for Sevilla two minutes later l, converting a cross from Papu Gomez.
Aimar Oroz nets the winner for the host from the spot after Papu Gomez was condemned for an elbow in the Sevilla penalty area.
Espanyol come from two goals down to rescue a point away to Celta Vigo. Goals from Iago Aspas and Goncalo Pacienca have the host comfortably in front until substitute, Edu Exposito pulled one back for Espanyol to set up a nervy finale.
Augustin Marchesin’s conceded a penalty deep into injury time and Joselu converted to restore parity as it finished 2-2 at at Abanca-Balaidos in Vigo.
Substitute Alex Baena scored two late goals to add to Nicolas Jackson’s opener to give Unai Emery’s Villarreal a 3-0 away win against Real Valladolid.
Takefusa Kubo scored the only goal on his Real Sociedad debut to hand Imanol Alguacil’s men all three points away to Cadiz.
It was the least deserved by Sociedad, who were by far the better side on Sunday evening, forcing Cadiz goalkeeper, Jeremias Ledesma into fix brilliant saves.
Carlos Soler’s penalty in the added time of the first half gave 10 man Valencia maximum points against Girona in Gennaro Gattuso’s first competitive game in charge.
Eray Comert was shown a red card after consultation with the VAR on his debut for a serious foul play in the 52nd minute but Valencia held on to the lead to kickoff the new season with maximum points and a clean sheet.
Athletic Club, Atletico Madrid and Betis all in action later today.
Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi