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La Liga Table 2019: Sunday's Week 1 Results and Updated Standings

Gill Clark@@gillclarkyX.com LogoFeatured Columnist IIAugust 18, 2019

MADRID, SPAIN - AUGUST 18: (L-R) Joao Felix of Atletico Madrid, Morata of Atletico Madrid  during the La Liga Santander  match between Atletico Madrid v Getafe at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on August 18, 2019 in Madrid Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Soccrates Images/Getty Images

Atletico Madrid kicked off their La Liga campaign with a 1-0 win over Getafe in a match that saw both teams reduced to 10 men in the first half at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.

Sevilla also got off to a winning start under new manager Julen Lopetegui on Sunday. Goals from Sergio Reguilon and Nolito were enough to see off Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium.

Sunday's other La Liga fixtures saw Alaves beat Levante 1-0, while Real Valladolid won at Real Betis.

Here is a look at the La Liga standings after the first round of fixtures:

LaLiga @LaLigaEN

📊🌟@realmadrid and @SevillaFC_ENG lead the way after the first Matchday! #LaLigaSantander https://t.co/m9uPHbaOzB

   

Sunday's Results

Alaves 1-0 Levante

Espanyol 0-2 Sevilla

Real Betis 1-2 Real Valladolid

Atletico Madrid 1-0 Getafe

   

Sunday Recap

MADRID, SPAIN - AUGUST 18: Joao Felix of Club Atletico de Madrid looks on during the La Liga match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Getafe CF at Wanda Metropolitano on August 18, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

Atletico Madrid handed record signing Joao Felix his La Liga debut against Getafe, but it was Alvaro Morata who opened the scoring midway through the first half.

The striker headed a Kieran Trippier cross past goalkeeper David Soria to give Diego Simeone's men the lead on 23 minutes.

An entertaining first half saw both teams reduced to 10 men before the break. Jorge Molina was handed a straight red card after a video assistant referee review for a foul on Thomas Partey.

Sports journalist Jonas Giaever offered his view:

Jonas Giæver @CheGiaevara

That's nasty from Jorge Molina on Thomas Partey. Difference between that one, and the one Luka Modric gets sent off for yesterday is that Molina trails Thomas. Modric misses the tackle and it becomes worse, Molina has no other intention than stopping Thomas illegally. Gruesome.

Atletico full-back Renan Lodi followed just three minutes before half-time. He picked up his second yellow of the match after an aerial clash with Damian Suarez.

Felix lit up the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in the early stages of the second half. The 19-year-old produced a jinking run from inside his own half that ended with him winning a penalty:

LaLiga @LaLigaEN

Possibly the filthiest nutmeg you'll see all season from @joaofelix70. 🤤 #AtletiGetafe https://t.co/xwOToQZuHr

Morata stepped up to take the kick but put his shot too close to a diving Soria, who managed to tip the ball around the post.

Meanwhile, Felix's debut came to a premature end after an injury forced him off and Marcos Llorente replaced him:

Goal @goal

Hopefully it’s not too serious of an injury picked up by Joao Felix, who limped off in his La Liga debut 🤕 https://t.co/rdevicWZ2g

Getafe came close to an equaliser when Angel Rodriguez fired an effort against the woodwork, but they could not find a way past goalkeeper Jan Oblak and slipped to a first defeat.

Sevilla have enjoyed a busy summer in the transfer market, and one of their new arrivals put them ahead against Espanyol in their opener.

Full-back Reguilon, on loan from Real Madrid, lashed home from inside the box on 44 minutes after goalkeeper Diego Lopez saved Luuk de Jong's header.

The 22-year-old was a threat throughout the match down the left flank in an impressive showing:

FootballTalentScout @FTalentScout

Sergio Reguilón vs Espanyol 1 goal 1 assist 52 passes 79% pass accuracy 1 key pass 4 dribbles won 2 interceptions 2 clearances 1 aerial won Man of the match performance. Exactly the left-back Sevilla needed. 🔴⚪️ https://t.co/0s63aUpq50

Espanyol improved after half-time and were awarded a penalty after Diego Carlos was adjudged to have handled the ball. However, VAR overturned the decision.

Sevilla sealed the victory with just four minutes of normal time remaining. Nolito dribbled past his defender and fired a low finish past Lopez.

Alaves saw off Levante thanks to a debut goal by striker Joselu. The striker, who arrived from Newcastle United in the summer transfer window, headed home the only goal of the game on 54 minutes:

OptaJose @OptaJose

2 - Joselu has earned points for his team in a single #LaLiga game (two) for the first time since scoring a goal vs Barcelona in March 2017 for Deportivo de La Coruña (2-1). Decisive https://t.co/HVvaBsTECU

The result means it is also a winning start for Alaves manager Asier Garitano. The 49-year-old took over the club in May following the departure of Abelardo Fernandez.

However, Real Betis boss Rubi tasted defeat in his first game in charge of the Andalusian side at the Benito Villamarin Stadium against Real Valladolid.

The hosts suffered an early blow when goalkeeper Joel Robles was sent off for bringing down Sandro Ramirez after only eight minutes.

Yet Valladolid had to wait until the second half to take advantage and break the deadlock. Sergi Guardiola opened the scoring on 63 minutes, but Betis hit back five minutes later through Loren Moron.

The game looked to be heading for a draw until Oscar Plano found an 89th-minute winner for Valladolid to secure all three points for the visitors.