Monday, August 29, 2011

Madrid thrash Zaragoza, Atleti held.

Cristiano Ronaldo struck a hat-trick as Real Madrid started their Primera Division campaign in ominous fashion with a thumping 6-0 away victory over Real Zaragoza.

Ronaldo, who won the European Golden Shoe last season after netting 40 times in La Liga, netted in the 24th, 71st and 87th minutes to complete yet another treble for Madrid - the £80 million man scored at least three goals in a competitive match seven times last term.

Marcelo, Xabi Alonso and Kaka were also on the scoresheet for Jose Mourinho's men, who but for some fine saves from Zaragoza goalkeeper Roberto Jimenez and some indifferent finishing would have been celebrating an even bigger victory.

Alvaro Negredo scored twice as Sevilla opened their Primera Division campaign with an impressive 2-1 home win over big-spending Malaga.

Malaga have captured the attention in Spain following a summer of heavy investment but their new-look side looked short on ideas as Negredo ripped them apart. The Spain striker took just 90 seconds to open his season's account before a second expert finish on 26 minutes proved enough, despite Santi Cazorla's late free-kick for Malaga.

Atletico Madrid had no Sergio Aguero, no Diego Forlan and no goals as they drew 0-0 at home to Osasuna despite a dominant performance.

Falcao has been brought in from Porto at great expense to lead the Atletico attack, but he was absent as Adrian Lopez and Salvio started, supported by Jose Antonio Reyes.

Salvio went close, hitting the post from 25 yards just before half-time, and Lopez followed suit after the break, but the home side finished frustrated.

Mallorca got their campaign off to successful start with a comfortable 1-0 win over Espanyol at the Iberostar.

Jonathan De Guzman scored the only goal of the game with a deflected effort half an hour from time in a match between two sides confident in possession but failed to provide a potent goal threat.

Getafe and Levante shared the points in their 1-1 draw at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez.

In an expectedly fractious affair after Getafe coach Luis Garcia's decision to leave Levante at the end of last season, Miku looked to have handed his new manager a dream start with a wonderful team goal involving the Venezuelan, Pablo Sarabia and Mehdi Lacen.

However, Levante responded well and a controversial equaliser from Juanlu handed the visitors a deserved draw.

Rayo Vallecano claimed a creditable point in their first game back in the Primera Liga as they drew 1-1 at Athletic Bilbao.

After a lacklustre first-half the game burst into life in the second period with two goals in five minutes. Athletic went in front on 55 minutes when Ander Iturraspe collected Iker Muniain's pass and burst into the area before shooting across Dani Gimenez and high into the net, but Rayo responded immediately and drew level thanks to a fine finish from Jose Maria Movilla.

ESPN.COM

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