They debated if Real Madrid's Benzema or Barcelona's Lewandowski will have the better season. There is a time and a place for it. The ball fell from high up in the sky, spinning and bending, coming down quickly and from an awkward angle. The former Chile international barely moved, almost imperceptibly shifting into position, and watched it all the way to his right foot as if he were guiding it himself. He touched it softly, directing it obediently to his left before flicking it to his players. There was all of it with the nonchalance of a man. There was a roar from 50,622 people. It's nice to see you again. The staff and subs of Real Betis began clapping on the bench. There were smiles and faces that said "bloody hell, did you just see that?" The manager just did that and they had seen okay. The man who hasn't played in 36 years smiled when he was asked about that. He said that he had to be on par with the team. Manuel Pellegrini's first touch 😍 pic.twitter.com/EBfEG4W0FL It was more than just Betis. His team had just closed out the first weekend of the league season with a win over Elche. It opened four days before Sevilla lost at Osasuna, the first goal of the year headed in by Chimy Avila, he had homemade tattoos, and thighs the size of jamons. It couldn't have started at a better place and it probably couldn't have ended at a better place. The noise at El Sadar and Juanmi's strike before 11 p.m. on Monday were just some of the things that had happened. A lot of it was great. Barcelona and Athletic Club were the only ones that didn't make sense and didn't mean boring. Both Athletic and Barcelona took 23 shots, including two that thumped off the post. Robert Lewandowski had the ball in the net on his debut at a Camp Nou as full as it has been for a year -- for the men's team, at least -- but it was ruled out for an obstruction. He had scored on the opening night in Germany seven times. Something good is what Spain is. It was fun, maybe it's the wait, maybe it's the miss, but boy was it fun. There were 49 debutants in primera and a lot of old faces too. Julen Lopetegui spoke at the end of the opening weekend. It means a smack in the face from the beginning. It felt that way. They had promised not to make the kind of decision that the referee made, but because of the whole thing. This made you feel a bit overwhelmed. Aimar Oroz feels like crying. A 22-year-old kid from just 10 minutes up the road made his first start for Osasuna, at El Sadar, and he scored the winner from the penalty that Lopetegui moaned about. He was capable of taking it. It's not just to take it, but also to take it from the other side. Are you talking about pressure? Oroz didn't say anything afterwards. He said it was just him, the ball and the goal. He said that he feels like a little kid because he is one, standing there with a smile, not really knowing what to say. I didn't sleep well last night, but I don't think I will tonight. There's a beautiful game here. You can watch tournaments and teams.
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There is a Friday in August. There is a new item on the market
• Espanyol vs. Rayo Vallecano, 1:50 p.m. ET
• Gladbach vs. Hertha BSC, 2:20 p.m. ET
• Norwich City vs. Millwall, 3 p.m. ET
• Sevilla vs. Valladolid, 3:50 p.m. ET
The other ones were not the only ones. Jackson and Baena, two youth products, got Villarreal's goals the next day as they went top with a trio of wins. Baena's shot flew into the top corner, and it was one of his best.
Barcelona was finally able to swap palancas for play, but being held by Rayo Vallecano, who should have won it in the last minute, and who might have only had two chances. Rayo have played Barcelona three times in the last 10 months and haven't conceded a goal.
Espanyol came back from 2-0 down to tie the game. You were aware that Iago Aspas scored. Joselu scored in the 98th minute to tie the game.
Oscar Mingueza, who was sent on in the 92nd minute to shore things up, gave away a penalty that Joselu was going to miss. The new manager's celebration, grabbing at his players and throwing them together, underscored the value he saw in the way they had done it, helping to fast-track the unity the coach seeks.
The day was Saturday. Gennaro Gattuso was soaked in sweat at Valencia, where Carlos Soler scored the only goal, and the first division champion against the second division champion. After seven years in Spain's top flight, the place went crazy when they scored the first goal against Real Madrid, and for about an hour they thought they could do this.
David Alaba kicked the ball for Real Madrid.
David Alaba was sent on to score after Madrid tied the game. That's a real thing. He definitely did. Carlo's son urged his dad to make the change quicker than planned, while Benzema waved at Alaba to join him. He ran back to the bench where he was told that he had scored.
Alaba said it was a bit crazy. What a great time we had.
There was more to come. "It was emotional when I came back to San Mames on Monday," he said, "and then the team scored three at Getafe."
The three goals were scored from high up the pitch. One was scored by a substitute who hadn't gotten a goal since January, and two were scored by the man more out than in a week, but who might just have grabbed it?
In one evening south of the city, all three of them had been provided by Joao Felix. It was a pass for the second. Morata didn't say anything about how brilliant the ball was, it was a no look ball that took out a team.
It had been good, and it wasn't over yet, so pleased to have it all back. Not because Nabil Fekir was going to do something insane to wrap it up, sneaking up behind Enzo Rocco and taking the ball out on the touchline, heading inside, braking, pulling away, stopping, starting, and getting into the area, still on his feet. His manager conjured up a magic touch that welcomed everyone back with joy.
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