La Liga: Carlos Soler scored for Valencia (Twitter)
Carlos Soler scored the only goal from the penalty spot as Valencia struck a red card in the third minute to beat Getafe 1-0 in their opening match of La Liga.
- The Associated Press madrid
- Last Update:August 14, 2021 at 10:25 am
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With fans back in the stands, Valencia scored a red card in the third minute to beat Getafe 1-0 in their opening match of the Spanish league on Friday.
Valencia lost midfielder Hugo Guillmann after a dangerous tackle less than a minute into the match, which led to him being sent out after video review.
The hosts still took the lead when Carlos Soler converted a penalty kick in the 11th minute.
Getafe also went down to 10 men in the 81st after defender Eric Kabaco was shown a second yellow card. His best chance to equalize came when Mauro Arambari hit the post in 81st.
There were about 10,000 fans at the Mestalla Stadium as Spanish health authorities allowed the league to resume with up to 40% of the crowd. At the end of last season some stadiums were only allowed 5,000 in areas where the coronavirus pandemic was more under control, including Valencia.
Looking to return from 13th place last season, Valencia were playing their first league match under new coach José Bordels, who was in charge of Getafe from 2016 until the previous season. Getafe finished 15th last season.
Despite starting at 9 p.m. local time, the match had a hydration break in each half as parts of Spain were under heat.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid begins their league campaign at Alavés on Saturday, while Barcelona’s first season without Lionel Messi begins after nearly two decades with a home match against Real Sociedad on Sunday.
Defending champions Atletico Madrid open at Celta Vigo on Sunday.
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