Granada's Darwin Machis (R) vies with Bilbao's Ander Capa during a Spanish La Liga league match between Granada CF and Athletic Club Bilbao in Granada, Spain, Sept. 12, 2020. (Granada CF handout via Xinhua)
Osasuna and Granada enjoy a temporary lead on the table with opening game victories as the Spanish La Liga 2020-21 season started.
MADRID, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- The opening day of La Liga's 2020-21 season on Saturday saw wins for Granada and Osasuna in their games against Athletic Club and Cadiz in a weekend where Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Sevilla are not playing.
The season kicked off with a dull 0-0 draw between Eibar and Celta Vigo and the 90 minutes between two sides that flirted with relegation last season was really only memorable for Eibar's Pape Diop becoming the first player sent off in Spain this season.
That meant the first goal of the new season was scored by Granada midfielder Yangel Herrera, who was unmarked when he scored the opener in his side's 2-0 win at home over Athletic Club Bilbao in the 49th minute, four minutes before Luis Milla doubled Granada's lead with a shot from outside the area.
Granada only had two chances all game, but Athletic's problem in turning possession into chances continues from last season.
Granada's Luis Milla (2nd R) celebrates a goal during a Spanish La Liga league match between Granada CF and Athletic Club Bilbao in Granada, Spain, Sept. 12, 2020. (Granada CF handout via Xinhua)
Newly promoted Cadiz's hopes of returning to the top-flight with a win met with disappointed as they lost 2-0 at home to a well-drilled Osasuna.
The side from Pamplona produced a disciplined display and took the points with a 10th minute goal from Adrian Lopez and a 79th minute goal from Ruben Suarez.
Sunday sees four more games, with perhaps the highlight being the Valencia derby between Valencia and Levante, while Huesca return to the top-flight away to Villarreal. ■