Spanish Primera Division – Match Recaps – 25 August 2012
Sociedad edged Celta Vigo, Zaragoza won at Espanyol, Rayo beat Betis, and Mallorca held Malaga in the Spanish Primera Division (La Liga) on August 25, 2012.
Real Sociedad 2-1 Celta Vigo
Real Sociedad recovered from conceding an early second half goal to win the season opener. Imanol Agirretxe scored both goals for the home side. Agirretxe capitalized on sloppy defending from Celta Vigo for his second goal in the 61st minute. A cross in front of goal was poorly handled by two defenders and Agirretxe pounced on it to seal the three points.
| 48′ | 0 – 1 | Enrique De Lucas | |
| 53′ | Imanol Agirretxe | 1 – 1 | |
| 61′ | Imanol Agirretxe | 2 – 1 |
Espanyol 1-2 Real Zaragoza
The home side were in position for a win until a early second half penalty kick change the momentum. Zaragoza’s Apono converted a 51st minute penalty kick to level the match and Helder Postiga made it 1-2 in the 89th minute. Zaragoza will be looking to improve on last season’s 16th placea finish where they were only two points above relegation.
| 42′ | Álvaro Vásquez | 1 – 0 | |
| 50′ | Juan Albin (red card) | ||
| 51′ | 1 – 1 | Apono (pen) | |
| 89′ | 1 – 2 | Hélder Postiga |
Real Betis 1-2 Rayo Vallecano
Rayo took an early lead and never trailed as they won their opening La Liga match. Piti and Leo supplied the goals for Rayo while Jorge Molina scored Real Betis’ lone goal. Both teams finished in the bottom half of the Spanish Primera Division table last season and not expected to do much better this season.
| 1′ | 0 – 1 | Piti | |
| 3′ | Jorge Molina | 1 – 1 | |
| 61′ | 1 – 2 | Leo |
Malaga 1-1 Mallorca
Mallorca took the lead on a Tomer Hemed goal but Malaga countered with a 77th minute Juanmi equalizer. The match did have some late drama as Eliseu was given a red card in the 89th minute. Malaga will now turn their focus to the second leg of the UEFA Champions League play-off round where they have a 2-0 lead on Panathinaikos.
| 68′ | 0 – 1 | Tomer Hemed | |
| 77′ | Juanmi | 1 – 1 | |
| 89′ | Eliseu (red card) |
