Sevilla and Alaves open La Liga with victories

Two-time-defending champions Alaves, playing with ten men, defeated visitors Getafe 3-0, while Sevilla snatched a last-gasp victory over Rayo Vallecano 2-1, in the opening round of the 2026-27 La Liga season.

Getafe were forced into a defensive posture after Kike Jimenez was sent off late in the first half following a reckless challenge. Nahuel Tenaglia opened the scoring for Alaves with a header in the 73rd minute. Former Real Madrid striker Mariano Diaz, a Dominican international, then netted his second goal with a brilliant strike from the edge of the box in the 91st minute. Miguel Rodriguez added a third with a powerful shot following a pass from Mariano in the 94th minute, as Getafe collapsed during stoppage time.

In the second match of the opening day, hosts Sevilla started poorly against Rayo Vallecano, allowing an early goal in the fourth minute after a defensive error by Alvaro Garcia. However, Luis Garcia’s side responded in the second half, with Jon Guridi equalizing from a penalty in the 52nd minute.

Sevilla player Kike Salas was sent off two minutes before the end, but the team managed to snatch victory in the dying moments after being fouled by Scottish striker Robbie Ure inside the penalty area during stoppage time. Pique, a former player in Barcelona’s academy, took responsibility for the penalty and fired it powerfully into the top corner to secure the win for the Andalusian side in the 97th minute.

Today, Deportivo La Coruna will host Elche in the first round of the league.