First division, day 1

Real Madrid started off the season with a 1-2 win at Cádiz, although it was not an easy victory against a side who battled all the way. Ronaldo gave the visitors an early lead, but they could not add any more and Pavoni equalised after the restart. With Michael Owen left in the stands Luxemburgo finally resorted to Robinho, and the new signing lived up to his reputation with a magnificent display which culminated in him putting Ronaldo through for him to unselfishly set up Raúl for the winning goal four minutes from the end.

Villarreal lost their opener though to Osasuna, their midweek efforts in the Champions League apparently taking their toll, as it did on Betis the day before. New signing Romeo got both the goals for the Pamplona based side, heading them in to a first half lead and diving to head the winner later on after Diego Forlán had equalised.

Espanyol's disastrous start to the season continued, and after failing to win any of their pre-season games they were defeated 0-2 at home by Bernd Schuster's Getafe. Both goals came after the break shortly after Ito hit the post, Gavilán catching out Kameni with a long shot and Riki adding a second soon afterwards after some slack defending.

Getafe move up to second place in the table level with Celta, who celebrated their return to the top flight with a 2-0 win over Málaga. Gustavo López started things off in the ninth minute with a fantastic strike following a short free kick outside of the area, and Baiano got the second against his former club after Antonio Nuñez put him through.

Sevilla also started the season with a win, their 1-0 victory over a much changed Racing Santander side, a good beginning for new coach Juande Ramos. With all the big name signings though it was a home grown boy who got the only goal, youth international Kepa getting ahead of the defence to head home Antonio López's cross on the half hour mark.

A single goal victory as well for Deportivo La Coruña at Mallorca, a result which goes part way to soften the blow of their defeat in the Intertoto Cup midweek. The Gallicians recorded their first victory ever in the San Moix stadium thanks to an opportunist goal in the twentieth minute by Juanma, and held on after that for the three points.

Disappointment for Atlético Madrid though after a promising pre-season campaign, their new look strike force unable to score as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Zaragoza. The closest they came to scoring was a shot by Kezman against the post, but the visitors could have won it had Sergio García not failed to convert a sitter late in the first half. (28.08.05)

The new season kicked off with a surprise in the opening game, newly promoted Alavés holding reigning champions Barcelona to a 0-0 draw. The hero of the night was ex Barcelona keeper Bonano, who kept out efforts from Eto'o, Giuly, Ronaldinho and others to secure the result. Ronaldinho and Eto'o both hit the post in the second half, but Bodipo could have won it for the locals near the end when he too fired a shot against the woodwork.

Two other games started later in the evening, and they too were without goals until the second half. Yeste finally broke the ice though, giving Athletic Bilbao the lead against Basque neighbours Real Sociedad after Etxeberría set him up two minutes after the restart. Llorente latched onto a pass from Iraola five minutes later to make it two, and Luis Prieto scored again near the end for a 3-0 final result.

Valencia join Athletic as the early leaders after beating Betis 1-0. Quique Flores's side were in need of a win after their elimination from the Intertoto Cup midweek, but Cañizares had to be on his toes to keep the score level early on. Vicente hit the bar before the break though, and Aimar finally struck the winner early in the second half. (27.08.05)