Soldado hat-trick earns Valencia the points

Roberto Soldado had a match to remember as he scored an own goal and a hat-trick as Valencia CF opened their Liga campaign with a 4-3 win against Real Racing Club at Mestalla.

Having taken the lead inside a minute through Soldado's first of the night, the UEFA Champions League contenders were trailing 3-1 when defender Adil Rami (57) headed in Pablo Hernández's corner. There was a sting in the tail, however, as Soldado struck twice in the final two minutes, the 26-year-old completing his hat-trick from Jordi Alba's ball across goal.

It is the second time Soldado has scored three goals on the opening day of the season against Racing, having previously achieved the feat in a 4-1 success for Getafe CF two years ago.

There was also drama aplenty at El Molinón, where a double from Imanol Agirretxe earned Real Sociedad de Fútbol a 2-1 triumph over Real Sporting de Gijón. Both sides ended with ten men following the dismissals of Carlos Martínez and Lora.

Meanwhile, Castro Rubén headed in an 88th-minute winner for Real Betis Balompié, promoted as second-tier champions, at fellow newcomers Grenada CF.