FOOTBALL – The first game of La Liga 2022 kicked off on Friday August 12 with Osasuna v Sevilla. Osasuna won 2-1.
What an exciting first match. Osasuna opened the score line after just 9 minutes. But Sevilla were quick to get the equaliser 2 minutes later.
The rest of the first half finished uneventful and as 1-1 draw.
There was a series of substitutions and red cards and not much else happening until the 74th minute when Osasuna scored from a penalty. The rest of the game seemed just to be continual yellow cards and substitutions. It finished Osasuna 2 – 1 Sevilla.
Saturday
Celta Vigo 2 – 2 Espanyol
Going into the match, the last 6 games out of 9 involving these 2 teams ended in a draw. This was no different!
Celta Vigo managed to score 2 minutes into extra time in the first half meaning they went into the dressing rooms a goal up. However, Espanyol fought back, but found it difficult to hit the net. The next goal also came from Celta Vigo after just under 20 minutes into the second half. This put Celta Vigo 2-0 up. However, Espanyol brought one back after 72 minutes to put them back in the game.
But the game was not decided until a penalty was awarded for Espanyol 8 minutes into added time. Joselu put it in the net finishing the game on a point each with a 2-2 draw.
Valladolid v Villarreal
The first half was uneventful and finished 0-0. There must have been some strong words in the dressing room at half time, as Villarreal came out and scored after just 4 minutes with a fantastic goal from midfielder Roque Mesa. However, Mesa received a yellow card a few minutes later and was then substituted by Kike Perez. The next 26 minutes seemed to be a constant flow of substitutions from both sides. Until, that is, Alex Baena scored in the 81st minute putting Villarreal 2 goals ahead.
Two minutes from normal time, Villarreal made another substitution. And then in the last minute of the 90, Baena scored his second goal of the match. Making the result a 0-3 win for Villarreal.
Barcelona 0 – 0 Rayo Vallecano (Barca red card)
Barcelona lost their last 2 La Liga games against Rayo Vallecano without scoring at all. The last time they lost 3 in a row against an opponent, was in 1958 against rivals Real Madrid.
Barça start the game strong, and in just 12 minutes, Dembele sends the ball to Lewandowski who puts it in the net. However, the flag was up for offside and the goal was disallowed. Minutes later, Dembele receives a yellow card for an unnecessary challenge. The first half was full of chances for the Barcelona side. However, the last real chance of the first half came from a fantastic ball from Alvaro Garcia. But it was met by Ter Stegen. The first half ended goalless leaving the supporters without words. So many attempts were not followed through.
After just 6 minutes of the second half, a good chance came for Vallecano when Camello beat Alba and Stegen, but his finish skimmed the face of the goal.
Raphinha debued but was substituted after 60 minutes by Ansu Fati. Just 5 minutes into his game, Fati makes a run and is passed the ball by Dembele, but he fails to find the corner of the goal as it is warded off by Dimitrievski.
Down in the penalty area
Lewandowski and Busquets had chances denied, and later Busquets got the yellow card. Then, there were shouts for a penalty for sub De Jong after he goes down in the penalty area. But the ref waves play on!
Rayo had a good spell in the middle of the second half. But the Barça trio of Dembele, De Jong and Fati seemed certain to make a goal. However, it was denied time and again.
However, after 88 minutes, Barcelona put the ball in the net for the second time. Only again to be denied. Fati took the initial shot which was rebounded to Kessie. But the offside flag was up, and Kessie´s goal did not count.
The 90 minutes ended with no goals, and 8 minutes were added for stoppage time.
Three minutes later, Busquets received a second yellow card, and the captain has to leave the game at that crucial point.
Five minutes into stoppage time, and Rayo celebrated with a shot from Alvaro Garcia which is saved by Stegen only to be put home by Falcao. However, the linesman´s flag is up for offside. Once again, another goal is denied.
The game finished goalless.
Then on Sunday
Cadiz v Real Sociedad 0-1
Cadiz had lost their last 4 games against Real Sociedad. They failed to score in three of them.
Kubo scored the first and only goal of the match in just 24 minutes. Although 10 minutes were added on to the 90, not much happened in the rest of the game other than substitutions and yellow cards.
Valencia v Girona 1-0 (Valencia red card)
Valencia went into the game having won the last 3 of their matches against Girona by a one-goal margin.
The first half had not much action other than yellow cards, until one minute into added time when a penalty was awarded. Carlos Soler put the goal in the net for Valencia. That ended the first half. Just 7 minutes into the second half, and Valencia´s Comert was issued a red card.
Although this meant Valencia were one man down, the rest of the match was uneventful despite having 8 minutes added for stoppage time.
The game ended 1-0 for the home side.
Almeria v Real Madrid (1-2)
Newcomers, Almeria came straight out the box fighting. They scored the first goal after just 6 minutes as Ramazani raced through and struck the ball clear and into the bottom corner of the net. How unexpected was that? The newcomers scored against the mighty winners in just 6 minutes!
The next few minutes saw a series of attempts from the Madrid side saved.
And on Monday
Athletic club v Mallorca 0-0
Mallorca went in as the underdog. However, despite this, they managed to hold onto a goalless draw. The match was just full of substitutes and yellow cards as both sides struggled to find their feet-
Getafe v Atletico 0 -3
Getafe had not won in their last 19 games against Atletico Madrid. In fact, they failed to even score in 17 of those games. The home side put up a brave defence right from the start of the game, however, Morata´s left foot found the net after just 15 minutes.
Both teams were playing aggressive football, and as a result the ref´s whistle was blown often. The tension on the pitch was palpable.
The home side came close to the equaliser when Mayoral hit the crossbar after 41 minutes. Half time came and the score was 1-1.
Getafe got the first chance of the second half, but it is Atletico that score. The Felix-Morata combo ensure the second goal after 59 minutes. A few minutes later, Getafe almost pull one back, but it was not to be.
Then after 75 minutes, Griezmann who had been brought on after 62 minutes, scored for the Madrid side. He somehow managed to find the goal in between two Getafe defenders.
The game ended 0-3 for Atletico.
Real Betis v Elche (3-0) red card Elche
The red card for Elche came after just 16 minutes for defender Nwankwo. And 12 minutes later in the 28th minute of the game, the first goal came for Iglesias of Betis. Then, Juanmi found the net under 10 minutes later to put Elche 0-2 up. The first half ended this way. However, Juanmi was not finished. Furthermore, he scored again in the second half after 60 minutes had passed.
The game ended like this with Real Betis winning 3-0 against 10 man Elche.
Standings after the first game
Villarreal, Atletico, and Real Betis are currently joint top. Real Madrid, Osasuna, Real Sociedad, and Valencia take up the next three spots with Barcelona in 11th position after the first match.
La Liga 2022 matches begin later this week
Friday August 19
- Espanyol v Rayo Vallecano
- Sevilla v Valladolid
Saturday August 20
- Osasuna v Cadiz
- Mallorca v Real Betis
- Celta Vigo v Real Madrid
Sunday August 21
- Athletic Club v Valencia
- Atletico Madrid v Villarreal
- Real Sociedad v Barcelona
Monday August 22
- Elche v Almeria
- Girona v Getafe
Also read: La Liga 2021/2022
