MADRID, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- Atletico Madrid began their new season in typical style with a 1-0 win at home to Getafe on Sunday night thanks to a first-half goal from Alvaro Morata.
The Spain international headed home a cross from Kieran Trippier to win the game, although he missed a second-half penalty which would have saved his side some nervous moments as Getafe pressed for an equalizer, despite being reduced to ten men in the 38th minute when Jorge Molina was shown a direct red card.
It wasn't a perfect night for Atletico, with star signing Joao Felix forced to leave the game injured after landing badly as he jumped for a high ball.
The new La Liga season kicked off on Friday night as FC Barcelona traveled to face Athletic Bilbao without the injured Lionel Messi, and soon saw Luis Suarez limp out of a game they lost 1-0 thanks to Aritz Aduriz's spectacular scissor kick in the 80th minute.
Barca struggled in the first half and questions must be asked about coach Ernesto Valverde's decision to leave midfielders Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic on the bench, especially as Rakitic gave Barca more control when he came into the game at the start of the second half.
Real Madrid put a poor pre-season behind them with a 3-1 win away to Celta Vigo. Gareth Bale was a surprise inclusion in the side after being ostracized all summer, and justified his place with a good all-round display and the pass for Karim Benzema's opening goal.
Celta had a goal ruled out for offside just before half-time, but failed to take advantage of a red card for Luka Modric ten minutes after the break, as Toni Kroos and Lucas Vazquez sealed an important win for Madrid.
Valencia wasted a fine chance to start the season with a win as they drew 1-1 at home to Real Sociedad.
Kevin Gameiro opened the scoring for the home side midway through the second half, but then missed a penalty early into eight minutes of added time. That was to prove costly after a handball in Valencia's own area moments later allowed Mikel Oyarzabal to slot his penalty away and see the points shared.
It was a good start for the three promoted sides, with Real Mallorca returning to the top-flight after a six-year absence with a 2-1 win at home to Eibar. Dani opened the scoring for islanders, but Paulo Oliveira drew Eibar level after the break, only to then put through his own net for the decisive goal.
Chimy Avila scored the only goal of the game with a powerful shot from the edge of the area as Osasuna celebrated their La Liga return with a 1-0 win away to Leganes, while Villarreal and Granada shared eight goals in the Estadio de la Ceramica.
Seven of the goals came in the second half, and Granada will be pleased at the character they showed in coming back from 4-2 down, with goals from Roberto Soldado and Jose Antonio Puertas.
Joselu's second half header gave Alaves a 1-0 win at home to Levante on Sunday, while goals from Sergio Reguilon and Nolito saw a much-changed Sevilla side take a comfortable 2-0 victory away to Espanyol, for whom Wu Lei started but was unable to influence the result.
Sergi Guardiola hit an impressive opening goal as Real Valladolid shocked Real Betis 2-1 in the Benito Villamarin Stadium to ruin Rubi's debut as Betis coach. Loren Moron equalized for the home side, but Oscar Plano hit a late winner from the center of the area in the last minute to give Valladolid the win.
