Spanish first division reports
Brief reports of Spanish first division soccer matches played on Saturday:
Brief reports of Spanish first division soccer matches played on Saturday:
ALBACETE 0 OSASUNA 2
An ominous start for promoted Albacete on their return to the top flight as they were dealt a disappointing home defeat by Javier Aguirre's Osasuna.
Former Real Madrid midfielder Valdo gave the Navarrans the lead just before the break when he got his toe to a bobbling free kick from Pablo Garcia and Patxi Punal wrapped up on the stroke of fulltime when he netted from the penalty spot after Ivan Rosado had been felled in the area.
ATHLETIC BILBAO 0 BARCELONA 1
A new-look Barcelona had to dig deep to claim a narrow win over Athletic in an entertaining match at San Mames that marked the league debut of Brazilian playmaker Ronaldinho.
Dutch midfielder Philip Cocu scored the only goal of the game with a glancing header after a free kick from fellow countryman Giovanni van Bronckhorst on 12 minutes.
Athletic, with midfielders Joseba Etxeberria and Santi Ezquerro to the fore, had a host of scoring chances but failed to find the finishing touch to some promising moves.
Ronaldinho produced several classy touches, but did not shine quite as much as he had done in the Catalan side's pre-season fixtures.
ESPANYOL 1 REAL SOCIEDAD 1
Honours even at Montjuic as last season's runners-up Real Sociedad had to fight back from a goal behind to claim a 1-1 draw against the Catalans.
Cameroon defender Pierre Wome, who played for Fulham last seeason, put the home side ahead with a deflected free kick on 23 minutes, but Sociedad's new signing Lee Chun-Soo set up the equaliser for the visitors after the break.
The South Korean midfielder beat the offside trap and looked like scoring a debut goal with a deft chip over keeper Erwin Lemmens, but striker Darko Kovacevic managed to get his toe to the ball for it crossed the line.
MALAGA 0 VILLARREAL 0
No goals at the La Rosaleda as both sides appeared more concerned to avoid defeat than to look for a win on the opening day of the season.
Scoring chances were few and far between and the main action occurred when both sides were reduced to 10 men in separate incidents early in the second half.
Villarreal defender Fabricio Coloccini was dismissed first after picking up a second booking, but Malaga lost their numerical advantage just seven minutes later when Vicente Valcarce followed him down the tunnel for the same reason.
REAL MADRID 2 REAL BETIS 1
David Beckham continued his dream start to his career at Real Madrid as he scored Real's first and had a hand in the build-up to their second on his league debut at the Bernabeu.
The England captain side-footed home a Ronaldo pass after just three minutes, but Betis recovered from their early setback and fought their way back into the match as the half wore on.
And they gained a deserved equaliser when defender Juanito got in front of Real midfielder Esteban Cambiasso to power in a header from a Joaquin corner on 34 minutes.
Real upped the pace after the break and grabbed the winner when Beckham spun a long pass to Zinedine Zidane and the Frenchman clipped a perfect cross into the area for Ronaldo to smash in on the half-volley on 62 minutes.
VALENCIA 1 VALLADOLID 1
Despite dominating for long periods of the game, Valencia looked to be heading for a surprise defeat until Argentine playmaker Pablo Aimar popped up to score with a delightful solo effort 13 minutes from time.
Valladolid took the lead on 25 minutes when midfielder Franciso Sousa outpaced the Valencia defence and rounded keeper Santiago Canizares before slotting home into the open net.
But Aimar earned a point for Rafa Benitez's side when he finished off a darting run with a hard-hit 20-metre drive that powered its way past Valladolid keeper Albano Bizarri.
Playing Sunday: Celta Vigo vs. Murcia (1800) Racing Santander vs. Real Mallorca (1800) Real Zaragoza vs. Deportivo Coruna (1930) Sevilla vs. Atletico Madrid (1930).