San Sebastian, Spain – Real Sociedad got off to a winning start in La Liga action on Saturday by claiming a 2-0 victory over Getafe at the Anoeta.
La Real is looking to improve upon a fourth-place finish from last season, and three points at home was an impressive way to begin its quest to qualify for Champions League football for a second consecutive season.
Sociedad scored on opposite sides of halftime to collect all three points as Carlos Vela opened the scoring in the 42nd minute, latching on to a pass from Gonzalo Castro before lobbing a chip into the back of the net.
Vela then turned provider as he released Haris Seferovic in the 70th minute, allowing the Swiss striker to seal the victory with a chip over the on-rushing Miguel Moya.
Athletic Bilbao 2, Valladolid 1
Valladolid, Spain - Athletic Bilbao made an ideal start to the La Liga season by picking up a 2-1 victory at Valladolid on Saturday.
Bilbao is hoping to improve upon a 12th-place finish from last season and Saturday's road victory provides the club with a solid foundation after claiming just four league wins away from home last term.
Markel Susaeta and Patrick Ebert exchanged first-half goals, but it was Iker Muniain's 50th-minute strike that proved to be the difference between the two sides.
Valencia 1, Malaga 0
Valencia, Spain - Ricardo Costa got Valencia off the mark by scoring the lone goal in a 1-0 defeat of Malaga at the Mestalla.
Costa's strike came in the 64th minute and the home side held on to preserve the clean sheet and take all three points.
Malaga, which finished sixth in La Liga last season, figures to be in for a grueling season after losing manager Manuel Pellegrini to Manchester City as well as several star players to bigger clubs over the summer.
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