MADRID, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Racing Santander marked its return to La Liga with an entertaining 2-2 draw at home to Villarreal on Sunday.
Racing, playing in Spain's top flight for the first time since 2012, raced into a two-goal lead before Villarreal struck twice late in the first half to level the match.
Last season's top scorer Andres Martin put Racing ahead from the penalty spot in the 20th minute after Santi Comesana committed a foul inside the area.
Young midfielder Sergio Martinez doubled the lead in the 34th minute, marking his La Liga debut with a swerving shot from outside the penalty area.
Villarreal responded with two goals in the final minutes of the first half. Pape Gueye pulled one back with a low left-footed shot in the 44th minute before Nicolas Pepe curled an effort into the corner a minute later to make it 2-2.
The pace remained high after the break, with both sides creating chances, but neither was able to find a winner.
Elsewhere, Espanyol striker Raul Fernandez scored twice in the first half as his side opened the season with a 3-0 home win over Levante.
Fernandez opened the scoring in the fourth minute and doubled Espanyol's advantage six minutes before halftime as Levante struggled to contain the home side.
Tyrhys Dolan completed the scoring 10 minutes from time.
On Saturday, Mariano Diaz scored once and provided two assists as Alaves began its campaign with a 3-0 home victory over Getafe.
Getafe defender Kiko Femenia was sent off for a high challenge in the first half, but the visitors held out until Nahuel Tenaglia headed home Mariano's cross in the 73rd minute.
Mariano added the second in stoppage time before setting up Mikel Rodriguez for Alaves' third moments later.
Two penalties helped Sevilla recover from Alvaro Garcia's early goal to beat Rayo Vallecano 2-1.
Jon Guridi converted the first in the 52nd minute before Peque scored the winner from the spot in stoppage time after a challenge on new Sevilla striker Robbie Ure was penalized.
The decisive penalty came eight minutes after Sevilla defender Kike Salas had been sent off for a foul.
Deportivo A Coruna returns to the top flight at home to Elche on Monday, while Atletico Madrid hosts Malaga on Wednesday. ■
