Atlético Held by Villarreal as Getafe Claim Opening Win Over Racing

Atlético Madrid had to settle for a share of the spoils on Sunday, drawing 2–2 with Villarreal at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano in Madrid. It was a result that will feel like two points dropped for Diego Simeone's side, who twice found themselves level rather than ahead in what shaped up to be a competitive and entertaining early-season encounter.

Villarreal showed the kind of resilience that has made them a consistent thorn in the side of Spain's bigger clubs, and they leave Madrid with a point that will do their confidence no harm heading into the weeks ahead. For Atlético, the inability to see out a victory at home is the kind of detail Simeone will be keen to address quickly if they are to mount a serious title challenge this season.

Elsewhere, Getafe made it a winning start at the Estadio Coliseum, edging Racing Santander 1–0 in a tight affair. The narrow victory underlines the sort of organised, grinding football Getafe have long been known for, and the three points put them in a strong early position as the campaign begins to take shape.

Racing Santander, back in the top flight after their promotion, will find days like this an education. Absorbing a difficult away fixture without reward is part of life in La Liga, and José Ángel Ziganda's men will need to find more of an attacking threat if they are to survive the season comfortably.

With just one round of fixtures in the books, La Liga's picture remains wide open, but the results of August 23 offer early indicators of who might be hitting their stride and who still has work to do.