Espanyol Cruise While Santander Deny Villarreal in La Liga Opener
· 2 min read
La Liga's opening weekend delivered contrasting drama on Sunday, with Espanyol sending a clear statement of intent at the RCDE Stadium in Barcelona while Racing Santander and Villarreal played out a breathless two-all draw at El Sardinero.
Espanyol were utterly dominant against Levante, running out three-nil winners in a performance that will have rival clubs taking notice. The margin of victory was emphatic, and Levante will head home to reflect on a chastening afternoon in Barcelona that offered little encouragement heading into the weeks ahead.
Up in Santander, Racing produced a gutsy showing against an established top-half side in Villarreal, earning a point through a two-all draw that the home support will rightly celebrate. Villarreal, a club accustomed to competing for European places, will feel they left something behind after failing to hold on for all three points.
Three points from a winning start puts Espanyol among the early pace-setters, while Racing Santander's draw against quality opposition suggests they will be no pushover in the division this season. Villarreal, meanwhile, will look to regroup ahead of what promises to be another demanding La Liga campaign.