MADRID, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Athletic Club Bilbao and Getafe got the ball rolling on the new LaLiga season with a 1-1 draw in Athletic's San Mames Stadium on Thursday night.
Athletic's attacking midfielder Oihan Sancet scored the first goal of the new campaign, with a curling shot from outside of the area in the 27th minute, after Getafe had enjoyed the best of the opening exchanges, but Chrisantus Uche, who was making his first LaLiga appearance, saved a point for his side with a header from a 64th minute corner.
Spain international Nico Williams came on for Athletic with 20 minutes to play and produced a couple of minutes of magic, but Getafe goalkeeper David Soria made a couple of important saves, including one from Williams, which had looked bound for the top corner.
Girona, who finished third last season, will be content with a point for their much-changed side away to Betis in a hot Benito Villamarin Stadium in Seville.
Marc Bartra put Betis ahead in just the fifth minute of the game following a corner and the home side had the better of the chances against a rival who controlled more of the ball.
Gabriel Misehouy leveled for Girona in the 72nd minute with a shot across the face of goal, just a minute after coming into the match in his debut.
The remaining matches are played over the coming four days, with FC Barcelona visiting Valencia on Saturday, while Real Madrid are in Mallorca on Sunday night. ■
