If you are not a member yet, you can sign up here

News Archive

Match round-up - First Division, Day 1

Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid both had their opening league matches postponed to Monday night after playing the two legs of the Spanish Super Cup on Tuesday and Friday evening of the week before. Those games seemed to have taken their toll though, with Atlético in particular held to a dour 0-0 draw at city neighbours Rayo Vallecano. Coach Simeone had to watch from the stands after he was given an eight match ban (four in the league and four in future Super Cups) following his red card on Friday.

Before that Real Madrid did manage to beat the newly promoted Córdoba 2-0, although they too looked lethargic at times, and only an impressive last minute strike from Cristiano Ronaldo made sure of the three points. Benzema had headed Ancelotti’s side in to the lead from a Toni Kroos corner on the half hour mark, but the Andalusians had their chances to level the scores after that. (25.08.14)

No problems for the new-look Barcelona in their opening game on Sunday, a 3-0 victory over Elche taking them to the top of the table pending the Monday night matches. Luis Enrique drafted the 18 year old Munir in to his side, and he and Messi both rattled the woodwork before Messi opened the scoring just before a half time. A minute after the restart Munir got his name on the scoresheet after Rakitic put him through, and a rejuvenated Messi completed the scoring with another “house special” midway through the second half.

The first game on Sunday saw new boys Eibar beat neighbours Real Sociedad 1-0, Javi Lara getting the only goal with a wide free kick which caught out Zubikarai on the stroke of half time. The Basque side are one of the smallest clubs ever to play in the top flight, but they demonstrated that they are not going to give up without a fight. Curiously the match kicked off with 22 Spaniards on the pitch, something you don’t see every day in La Liga!

Elsewhere Celta beat Getafe 3-1 to move up, temporarily at least, to second spot, Nolito giving the Galicians a first half lead. Orellana scored a second after the interval, and although Sammir got one back, Larrivey made sure of the three points later on.

Another “after-hours” game on Sunday as well, with Villarreal winning 0-2 at regional rivals Levante thanks to second half strikes (gone midnight) from Uche and Cheryshev. Luckily Villarreal didn’t have to travel too far to get home! (24.08.14)

We’re back! La Liga kicked off again this Saturday with four intense matches, and it did not take long for the action to begin. First up was the game between Málaga and Athletic Bilbao, the locals taking a 1-0 lead some ten minutes before the break after Iraizoz gave away a penalty on Santa Cruz, Luis Alberto beating the keeper on the rebound after his spot kick was saved. Málaga were left with nine men though when Duda and Antunes were sent off late on, and there was controversy at the end when referee Mateu Lahoz ruled out a headed goal by Iraizoz himself, and then turned down a last minute penalty appeal for a possible foul by Kameni on Aduríz.

Sevilla and Valencia started off their new season with a 1-1 draw, the Andalusians taking the lead shortly before half time when Aleix Vidal beat Diego Alves at the second attempt after Bacca set him up. Before that though Piatti had hit both posts, and although the Ches had substitute De Paul sent off just a minute after making his debut, Orbán chested home a late equalizer with two minutes to go.

Deportivo are back in the top flight once again, but they started with a 2-1 defeat at Granada. The Galicians took the lead in the twentieth minute when young keeper Dimitrievski allowed a shot by Cavaleiro through his hands, but Rochina levelled the scores with a low shot soon after the restart, and Babín headed the winner from a long Fran Rico free kick with a quarter of an hour to go.

With the summer heat making earlier kick-off times unviable, the last match of the opening day between Almería and Espanyol kicked off at 11 o’clock at night. The visitors had Arbilla sent off for a second bookable offence with just over half an hour gone, and Soriano drilled home the opening goal for the home side at the start of the second half after good work by Edgar. A floodlight failure extended the game by another ten minutes though, and in the last minute of injury time Sergio García made it 1-1 with a shot which deflected in off a defender. (23.08.14)