Welcome back La Liga.
Football games in what its promoters are only too keen to tell us is the top league in the world.
Technically, it’s hard to argue – even if it’s hard to beat the English Premier League for pure drama and excitement.
The betting odds always point to the dominant two in Spain (Atletico Madrid have made it three in recent years) and it’s hard to argue otherwise this time around.
The surprise of the weekend? An almost fairytale start for newly-promoted Girona which few sports betting fans saw coming.
The moment of the weekend? The emotional minute’s silence held before all the opening games in tribute to those killed and injured in the Catalonia terror attacks.
Leganes 1-0 Alaves
Leganes, the side which only managed eight league victories last season, have made the start they craved.
If they face another relegation battle this term, who knows how important the first goal of the La Liga 2017/18 will be.
Gabriel got it, firing home the winner in the 24th minute after the ball was pushed into his path.
Valencia 1-0 Las Palmas
This time last year, Simone Zaza was struggling to adapt to life in England and West Ham.
Now, he seems far more settled.
The former Hammers and Juventus man’s 22nd-minute finish ensured new Valencia manager Marcelino a winning start, helped of course by the dismissal 12 minutes later of Croatian midfielder Alen Halilovic.
Celta Vigo 2-3 Real Sociedad
Coming back twice from behind shows real character and could prove Real Sociedad’s greatest strength this term.
Maxi Gomez had twice put the hosts, Europa League semi-finalists last season, ahead.
But Mikel Oyarzabal, Juanmi and a late Willian Jose penalty clinched a winning start for the Basque club.
Girona 2-2 Atletico Madrid
What a top flight debut for La Liga new boys Girona.
Christian Stuani, once of Middlesbrough, had them in dreamland with two goals in three minutes midway through the first half.
With Atletico star man Antoine Griezmann dismissed on the hour, Girona dared to dream more about the biggest day (so far) in their 87-year history.
But Atletico haven’t become one of the most respected sides in Europe without reason and substitute Angel Correa reduced the arrears before substitute Jose Maria Gimenez bravely headed in a leveller.
Sevilla 1-1 Espanyol
From the start there was drama.
The whistle had barely sounded when home keeper David Soria had to leave the field injured after a fine double save and could only watch as Clement Lenglet bundled home the opener before a Leo Baptistao howitzer levelled things up.
Ever Banega’s second-half dismissal left the hosts playing the game out with 10 men.
Athletic Bilbao 0-0 Getafe
A fine point for Getafe on their return to La Liga.
Goalkeeper Vicente Guaita made a string of fine saves as the newly-promoted club held on for a point against last season’s seventh-placed team.
An even better point after Alvaro Jimenez’s second booking for the visitors midway through the second half.
Barcelona 2-0 Real Betis
On an emotional night in the Nou Camp, an own goal and a Sergi Roberto strike ensured the hosts made a winning start to the league season.
A victory dedicated to the victims of the terror attacks in the city just three days earlier, it briefly lifted the sombre feeling as many fans stayed away after the attack.
Betis were always second best against the Lionel Messi-inspired Catalans.
Deportivo La Coruna 0-3 Real Madrid
Just like last season, Real are in the groove and the champions are up and running.
Gareth Bale scored the opener, set up the third for Toni Kroos with a Casemiro strike in between capping a 44-pass move.
Keylor Navas also saved a Florin Andone penalty before Los Blancos lost skipper Sergio Ramos to his 23rd ever sending-off for Real, who say they will appeal the decision.
They shouldn’t bother – it was a blatant red.
Levante 1-0 Villarreal
Back in the top flight and back with a bang.
It may have taken a controversial penalty to ensure Levante made a winning return to La Liga but they will not care one jot.
Jose Luis Morales’ 87th-minute spot-kick sealed victory against the side which finished fifth last season, and the Yellow Submarine can feel rightly aggrieved with the decision.
Malaga 0-1 Eibar
The two mid-table clubs from last time and a game that always looked like being tight was exactly that.
That Charles, who only left Malaga this summer, headed the only goal proved deeply frustrating for the Basque side.
Another impressive victory for the top flight’s smallest club.
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