Real Madrid supporters must have put the evening coffee down their throats when Inigo Eguaras lobbed a delicate outside pass to the deep-running Largie Ramazani after just six minutes. The Belgian took the ball in stride and put in 1-0.
The away team had over 70 percent of the possession and washed over Almería with wave after wave. The feeling was not if, but when, Real Madrid would equalize against a wildly fighting and sacrificing home team. But an equalizer never came in the first half, as Lucas Vázquez’s ball into the net was blown away for minimal offside.
The half-time whistle probably came in time for Almería, who walked out into the catacombs to a standing ovation.
Preliminary work by Vinicius
After over 20 final attempts and an hour of play, the equalizer finally came after fine preparatory work by last year’s sensation Vinicius Junior. In the end, it was Vázquez who got his revenge after the earlier offside run.
Just before the warm-up and drinks break, the turnaround was complete. Newly substituted David Alaba curled an absolutely perfect free-kick into the post – with his first touch of the ball in the match.
The match ended 2–1, despite Almería getting two golden chances to equalise. As so many times before, star goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois stood in the way.
Real Sociedad won
Alexander Isak’s Real Sociedad won their La Liga opener away to Cadiz. Newly acquired Takefusa Kubo became the hero of the match.
Isak started the match but was replaced in the 85th minute of the match.
In the 24th minute, Mikel Merino lifted a perfectly balanced ball into the penalty area. The super talent Takefusa Kubo, who formerly belonged to Real Madrid, took the ball down and clapped in the half volley. 1–0 was enough for three points.
The next game for Real Sociedad is against a revenge-hungry Barcelona at home. Robert Lewandowski and others only got 0-0 against Rayo Vallecano.