Valencia prove Real Madrid are not invincible

Last Saturday, Valencia proved to everyone in the Primera Liga that Real Madrid was not invincible.

Miguel Angulo's seventh minute strike was enough to give the new Valencia coach Rafael Benitez a win in his first serious match in charge, and more importantly a morale-boosting victory over the champions.

It was a well-deserved three points too.

Last season's beaten Champions League finalists put in a resolute performance, creating more scoring opportunities, and frustrating the side tipped by everyone as favourites for the title.

Real's big money stars failed to shine in the intimidating Mestella stadium. Luis Figo, their £37 million acquisition from last year, capped a poor showing by getting sent off in the dying minutes of the game, while £46.5 million Zinedine Zidane, on his debut, was given neither time nor space to display his talents in a heated midfield battle.

The goal came soon after the start when Norway international John Carew broke down the left and drove a fierce shot straight at Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who could only parry the ball into the path of Rodriguez Vicente.

Vicente flicked a cross into the box and Angulo lunged to lift the ball over the diving Casillas.

That goal established the shape of the match. Valencia sat back looking to break out on the swift counter-attack while los blancos probed and prodded the home side's defence looking for an opening.

Roared on by a partisan crowd the tackles flew in, elbows were flung, and inevitably tempers flared. The referee was forced to flash yellow cards at both sides -- even Real coach Vicente Del Bosque had his name taken in the second half.

But for all the visitor's possession they were unable to find a way through. Their best chance came minutes after the goal when they were awarded a free-kick 35 yards out.

Everyone expected the Brazilian Roberto Carlos to unleash one of his trademark screamers. Instead he dinked a sneaky cross into the area and an unmarked Claude Makelele crashed a header against the Valencia crossbar.

After the tasty appetizer of Saturday's thriller the rest of Spain kicked off on Sunday.

Last season's runners-up Deportivo La Coruna were flattered by the 4-0 score-line that they racked up against Real Valladolid at the Riazor.

Lowly Valladolid did the double over the Galicians last year, and appeared on course for another positive result in the opening period. However, their hold on the game was upset when Victor netted on the stroke of half time to give Depor an undeserved lead.

Deportivo coach Javier Irureta must have given an inspired team talk as his side came out after the break transformed. Juan Valeron, Roy Makaay and Diego Tristan blitzed three goals in eight minutes to set their title challenge off on the right track.

Las Palmas pulled off the shock of the day as they humbled the Champions League qualifiers of Real Mallorca 3-0.

Mallorca's £11 million-rated Albert Luque was left to rue a 35th minute penalty miss -- saved by Nacho Gonzalez -- when Pablo Lago set the game alight with a magnificent solo goal.

The 28-year-old striker dribbled past three defenders before launching an unstoppable right-footed drive under Leo Franco in the Mallorca goal.

Jorge Lopez doubled Las Palmas' lead five minutes into the second half, while Carmelo completed the scoring seven minutes from time to silence the already subdued Son Moix crowd.

Two delightful goals from Patrick Kluivert gave Carles Rexach's remodelled Barcelona a 2-1 win at newly promoted Sevilla.

The Dutch international struck after 41 and 75 minutes, either side of a penalty from Sevilla's Uruguayan international Nicolas Olivera.

Celta Vigo signaled their title ambitions with a comfortable 3-0 win over many people's favourites for the drop Osasuna.

Brazilian striker Catanha headed Celta ahead after 19 minutes, Fernandez Sergio made it two on 54 minutes and Jesuli completed the scoring 13 minutes later, after a majestic piece of skill from new signing Zvonimir Boban.

Ismael Urzaiz scored twice in the Basque derby as Athletic Bilbao kicked off with a 3-1 win over their bitter rivals Real Sociedad.

The giant striker scored the opener on 14 minutes and the third after 81 minutes to give Athletic's new coach Jupp Heynckes a dream start in the hostile Anoeta stadium.

Dimitri Kholkhov hit a magnificent equalizer for John Toshack's men three minutes after Urzaiz's first, but substitute Tiko restored the lead for the visitors before Urzaiz wrapped up proceedings with a tap-in from close range.

Ruben Navarro scored and then got himself sent off as Alaves won 2-0 at newly promoted Tenerife.

After opening the scoring a minute before the interval with a swirling shot into the top corner from outside the area, Navarro received his marching orders for a second yellow card.

Martin Astudillo added a late second to spoil the newcomers' return to the top-flight.

Malaga came from behind twice to win a five-goal thriller against Real Betis at the Rosaleda stadium.

Gaston Casas put Betis in front, only for Dario Silva to level for the home side eight minutes before the break. Casas then scored his and Betis' second from the penalty spot, but the game was turned on its head as Silva drew Malaga level again.

Ariel Zarate netted a 68th minute winner for los boquerones to deny another newly promoted side an opening day victory.

Espanyol won 2-1 against Real Zaragoza, while Villarreal won by the same scoreline at Rayo Vallecano.