Real Madrid began their challenge for the La Liga title away to Real Sociedad with Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema among the noticeable absentees.

Anoeta was always going to be a tricky test for the Los Blancos. However, it only took Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale 72 seconds of the season to score his first goal and to calm any nerves that may have existed with the other two thirds of the famous trident,, BBC missing.

The 27-year-old also netted with the last kick of the match to seal the three goal victory, while Asensio also grabbed a goal on his Real Madrid La Liga debut. Alvaro Morata who Madrid bought back from Juventus this transfer window also had an impressing La Lmadridiga debut with some great link up plays despite not finding the back of the net.

The 3-0 win means Real Madrid have passed their first test of the season convincingly and look ready to seriously challenge Barcelona for the title.

On the other side of Madrid, newly promoted Alaves stunned Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon on their return to La Liga, scoring a stoppage time goal to take a point from their trip.

It was a game that was pretty much dominated by Diego Simeone’s side with summer signing Kevin Gameiro coming closest to scoring after missing from point blank range early on after a goalmouth scramble, while Torres hit the post. It was a game that looked to be definitely ending scoreless until drama in stoppage time changed all that.

Atletico looked to have won the match through a stoppage time goal of their own. Debutant Kevin Gameiro had scored from the penalty spot after substitute Fernando Torres was brought down right on the edge of the area. Just as it looked like Atletico were going to edge it like they have done successfully on so many occasions last season, Alaves leveled just seconds later through a fine Manu Garcia strike from outside of the area. With the spoils shared, Alaves come out of this fixture the happier side.

credit: Daraja Mutari