[SP] La Liga 2005/06 (25 Viewers)
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La Liga Round-Up
Real Madrid's collection of stars left it late but made a winning start to the new Spanish season with a 2-1 triumph at newly-promoted Cadiz.
Los Merengues looked like being held to a humbling draw but, inspired by a late substitute cameo from Brazilian starlet Robinho, Real claimed all three points courtesy of a Raul goal five minutes from time.
The capital club made the ideal start when, after just four minutes, Ronaldo turned away from a weak challenge on the edge of the box and rifled an accurate low drive into the bottom corner from 20 yards.
The home side refused to be bowed, though, and came close to equalising through much-travelled striker Oli on 17 minutes.
Having more than held their own, Cadiz did draw level on 63 minutes when Matias Pavoni swivelled on an Oli header to hook into the corner following a corner.
The game appeared to be drifting from Real until the introduction of Robinho shortly after the equaliser as the former Santos starlet gave his new fans a mouth-watering glimpse of his potential with an array of tricks and flicks.
Indeed, he was involved in the winning goal, collecting a superb David Beckham pass and feeding compatriot Ronaldo who unselfishly squared for Raul to fire into an empty net from close range.
Celta Vigo made a winning return to the Spanish top-flight following a 2-0 triumph over Malaga at the Balaidos.
Former Malaga striker Fernando Baiano came back to haunt his old club grabbing the decisive second goal.
The Brazilian starred on loan at Malaga in the second half of last season but saw a permanent move to the Costa del Sol outfit fall through over personal terms.
Baiano made Malaga regret their decision not to sign him by putting Celta two up just after the break with an angled finish following a counter attack.
Gustavo Lopez had put the Galicians on their way with just ten minutes on the clock with a thumping left foot drive.
Sevilla made a winning start but were not entirely convincing in their 1-0 home win over Racing Santander.
Young striker Kepa Blanco was their match-winner, grabbing the only goal of the game on 28 minutes.
Osasuna produced something of a surprise as they brought Villarreal back down to earth with a 2-1 victory at the El Sadar.
The Yellow Submarines have enjoyed the perfect start to their season having qualified for the group stages of the UEFA Champions League, but were undone by a brace from Argentine striker Bernardo Romeo (27 & 61).
Diego Forlan had drawn Villarreal level with a leveller on 55 minutes, but it was ultimately to prove of no consequence.
Espanyol suffered a disappointing start by crashing to a 2-0 home defeat by Getafe with second half strikes from Jaime Gavilan and Riki sinking the Catalan outfit.
Deportivo La Coruna put their European disappointments behind them to earn a 1-0 win at Mallorca courtesy of a goal from summer recruit Juanma on 18 minutes.
Much-hyped Atletico Madrid made a subdued start to the campaign after being held to a goalless home draw by Real Zaragoza.
Real Madrid's collection of stars left it late but made a winning start to the new Spanish season with a 2-1 triumph at newly-promoted Cadiz.
Los Merengues looked like being held to a humbling draw but, inspired by a late substitute cameo from Brazilian starlet Robinho, Real claimed all three points courtesy of a Raul goal five minutes from time.
The capital club made the ideal start when, after just four minutes, Ronaldo turned away from a weak challenge on the edge of the box and rifled an accurate low drive into the bottom corner from 20 yards.
The home side refused to be bowed, though, and came close to equalising through much-travelled striker Oli on 17 minutes.
Having more than held their own, Cadiz did draw level on 63 minutes when Matias Pavoni swivelled on an Oli header to hook into the corner following a corner.
The game appeared to be drifting from Real until the introduction of Robinho shortly after the equaliser as the former Santos starlet gave his new fans a mouth-watering glimpse of his potential with an array of tricks and flicks.
Indeed, he was involved in the winning goal, collecting a superb David Beckham pass and feeding compatriot Ronaldo who unselfishly squared for Raul to fire into an empty net from close range.
Celta Vigo made a winning return to the Spanish top-flight following a 2-0 triumph over Malaga at the Balaidos.
Former Malaga striker Fernando Baiano came back to haunt his old club grabbing the decisive second goal.
The Brazilian starred on loan at Malaga in the second half of last season but saw a permanent move to the Costa del Sol outfit fall through over personal terms.
Baiano made Malaga regret their decision not to sign him by putting Celta two up just after the break with an angled finish following a counter attack.
Gustavo Lopez had put the Galicians on their way with just ten minutes on the clock with a thumping left foot drive.
Sevilla made a winning start but were not entirely convincing in their 1-0 home win over Racing Santander.
Young striker Kepa Blanco was their match-winner, grabbing the only goal of the game on 28 minutes.
Osasuna produced something of a surprise as they brought Villarreal back down to earth with a 2-1 victory at the El Sadar.
The Yellow Submarines have enjoyed the perfect start to their season having qualified for the group stages of the UEFA Champions League, but were undone by a brace from Argentine striker Bernardo Romeo (27 & 61).
Diego Forlan had drawn Villarreal level with a leveller on 55 minutes, but it was ultimately to prove of no consequence.
Espanyol suffered a disappointing start by crashing to a 2-0 home defeat by Getafe with second half strikes from Jaime Gavilan and Riki sinking the Catalan outfit.
Deportivo La Coruna put their European disappointments behind them to earn a 1-0 win at Mallorca courtesy of a goal from summer recruit Juanma on 18 minutes.
Much-hyped Atletico Madrid made a subdued start to the campaign after being held to a goalless home draw by Real Zaragoza.
Real Madrid swooped to sign Sevilla defender Sergio Ramos for 27 million euros late on Wednesday night.
With the transfer window on the verge of closing, Real agreed to pay the centre-back’s buyout clause which exceeds what the club paid for Robinho, making the player the most expensive of the summer transfer market in Spain.
Ramos, who earned rave reviews last season, will provide competition for the likes of Ivan Helguera and Jonathan Woodgate in the Real defence.
After such a crucial defensive signing, the odds on Real claiming La Liga may well shorten.
Sevilla reacted to the departure by signing Serbia & Montenegro defender Ivica Dragutinovic on a three-year deal from Belgian side Standard Liege.
With the transfer window on the verge of closing, Real agreed to pay the centre-back’s buyout clause which exceeds what the club paid for Robinho, making the player the most expensive of the summer transfer market in Spain.
Ramos, who earned rave reviews last season, will provide competition for the likes of Ivan Helguera and Jonathan Woodgate in the Real defence.
After such a crucial defensive signing, the odds on Real claiming La Liga may well shorten.
Sevilla reacted to the departure by signing Serbia & Montenegro defender Ivica Dragutinovic on a three-year deal from Belgian side Standard Liege.
