La Liga wrap: Real stutter, Messi misses penalty but Barca win

Rafael Benitez's reign as Real Madrid boss got off to a poor start as his side of star names were held 0-0 by newly-promoted Sporting Gijon on Sunday.

Los Blancos are already two points behind Barcelona as the champions exacted revenge for their Spanish Super Cup defeat to Athletic Bilbao thanks to Luis Suarez's solitary second-half strike.

Sporting were playing their first game back in the top flight for three years, but roared on by a vociferous home support they matched the visitors.

They could even had taken a famous three points had Antonio Sanabria's first-half header been deemed to have crossed the line.

Benitez started with Gareth Bale in a more central position, but the Welshman was again disappointing as Madrid failed to create clear-cut chances before the break.

Indeed it was the hosts who came closest to breaking the deadlock when Sanabria's headed effort came back off the underside of the bar and appeared to just clip the goal line on its way back out.

Sporting also had the first chance of the second period when Carlos Carmona sent a bullet header inches past the post.

Espanyol 1-0 Getafe
Espanyol began their La Liga campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over Getafe at the Power8 Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The only goal of the game was scored by Salva Sevilla in the third minute to hand the Calatan-based side the three points.

Real Sociedad 0-0 Deportivo La Carouna
David Moyes' Real Sociedad began their 2015/2016 season with a goalless draw against Deportivo La Carouna at the Estadio Municipal de Riazor on Saturday afternoon.

Friday's result: Malaga and Sevilla played out to a goalless draw in their opening La Liga encounter.

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Story by Ghana/Joy Sports/Gary Al-Smith