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On Saturday, two matches of the third round of the Spanish championship ("La Liga") were played. A tough duel, watched by 45 thousand spectators, between the 2004 champion and La Coruna's "Deportivo" that started the season with two wins, ended with a productive 2-2 draw. In the later, highly productive match, "Mallorca" crushed San Sebastiano's "Real Sociedad" 5-2 at home.
In the match in Valencia, "Deportivo" broke through first after a mistake by defender David Albelda in the middle of the first half when forward Diego Tristan scored. At the beginning of the second half, after a handball by Jorge Andrade, the score was leveled by striker David Villa, who switched from “Zaragoza” this summer. Although in the 80th minute another newcomer to "Valencia," Portuguese defender Miguel, helped the hosts to take the lead with a strong long-range shot, the result was equalized by Sergio after three minutes in a lightning-quick counterattack. It is worth mentioning that both teams ended the match playing with 10 men since in the 44th minute, Valencia defender Ruben Baraja was sent off for a serious foul on Manuel Pablo, and in the 59th minute Pedro Munitis saw his second yellow card in front of his eyes.
In the matches held later in the evening, Venezuelan national team forward Juan Arango shone, scoring a hat-trick and helping Hector Cupero's pupils score their first points of the season.
The footballers from the Balearic Islands took the lead in the fifth minute of the match when Yordi headed in a goal. However, Real Sociedad players left for halftime leading when former "Mallorca" player Alvaro Novo and Xabi Prieto stood out among them.
In the second half, J. Arango had a real benefit on the field - he scored two goals with his head in three minutes and later added a third after getting past the goalkeeper. Greek striker Lampros Choutos helped get a point in the match's final minute. J. Arango's three goals at least until Sunday’s matches made him the most productive player in the Spanish championship.
League table
Saturday results
2 - 2 La Coruna
24' [0 - 1] Diego Tristan
51' [1 - 1] David Villa
80' [2 - 1] Miguel
83' [2 - 2] Sergio
44' Ruben Baraja sent off the pitch ("Valencia")
59' Pedro Munitis sent off the pitch ("Deportivo")
5 - 2 San Sebastiano
5' [1 - 0] Yordi
20' [1 - 1] Alvaro Novo
45' [1 - 2] Xabi Prieto
58' [2 - 2] Juan Arango
60' [3 - 2] Juan Arango
86' [4 - 2] Juan Arango
90' [5 - 2] Lampros Choutos
Sunday matches
Alaves - Getafe
Bilbao - Malaga
Cadiz - Villarreal
Celta - Racing Santander
Osasuna - Sevilla
Betis - Zaragoza
Espanyol - Real
Atletico - Barcelona
