Spanish first division reports
Brief reports of matches played in the Spanish first division on Tuesday:
Brief reports of matches played in the Spanish first division on Tuesday:
BARCELONA 1 SEVILLA 1
The Catalan side's decision to stage their match against Sevilla at five minutes past midnight looked like backfiring badly when they fell behind to an early Jose Antonio Reyes penalty.
The young striker scored from the spot after Dario Silva was adjudged to have been brought down by keeper Victor Valdes on 10 minutes of a bad-tempered game at the Nou Camp.
But new signing Ronaldinho allowed his team to salvage a draw when he struck with a brilliant solo effort just before the hour mark. Skipping past two defenders he unleashed an unstoppable shot from the edge of the area to level the match.
OSASUNA 0 VALENCIA 1
Valencia claimed their first win of the season thanks to a powerful header from midfielder Ruben Baraja shortly after the break against a dangerous-looking Osasuna.
The Spanish international rose high above the Osasuna defence to connect with a Vicente corner and keeper Ricardo Sanzol was only able to control the ball after it had crossed the line.
The home side, who won their opening match against Albacete, put together some promising moves but were unable to get past the miserly Valencia defence.
VILLARREAL 1 REAL MADRID 1
Depleted Real Madrid had substitute Antonio Nunez to thank for saving them from a first defeat of the season against a well organised but relatively toothless Villarreal.
The young midfielder headed in David Beckham's corner just four minutes from time after substitute Sonny Anderson had given the home the lead with a spectacular first-time strike over the head of Iker Casillas.
Zinedine Zidane was forced to leave the pitch with what appeared to be a groin injury midway through the first half, while Beckham sustained a similar injury but remained on the pitch and is optimistic of playing for England this weekend.
REAL SOCIEDAD 1 CELTA VIGO 1
Honours even between two well matched sides who will both be playing in the Champions League this season.
Serbian striker Darko Kovacevic put Sociedad in front with a diving header late in the first half, but opposite number Savo Milosevic equalised with a well struck volley midway through the second.
Sociedad have yet to reproduce the form that saw them finish as surprise runners-up last season.
Playing Wednesday: Atletico Madrid vs. Albacete, Deportivo Coruna vs. Athletic Bilbao, Murcia vs. Racing Santander, Real Betis vs. Espanyol, Real Mallorca vs. Real Zaragoza, Valladolid vs. Malaga.