Girona substitute Gabriel Misehouy on Thursday struck in the 72nd minute to rescue a 1-1 draw against Real Betis Balompie in their opening game of the new La Liga season.
It was an exciting match played on hot summer evening in Seville between two sides who are to be among Spain’s representatives in European competition this campaign.
It was the hosts, who are to play in the Europa Conference League, who started better and dominated proceedings for the first hour of the match after opening the scoring in the sixth minute.
Photo: AFP
They grabbed the lead when captain Nabil Fekir lifted a perfect cross from a corner that found defender Marc Bartra at the near post to fire a bullet header into the top corner.
They had chances to extend their advantage, but were denied by Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga, who made critical saves from efforts by Aitor Ruibal and Rodri.
However, Girona found their mojo in the last 30 minutes of the game, with Abel Ruiz hitting the post from a counterattack in the 62nd minute.
Photo: EPA-EFE
In a similar play 10 minutes later, Girona equalized thanks to a fine combination between two young substitute players.
Dutch midfielder Misehouy, 19, scored with a first-time effort from a low cross by 20-year-old Iker Almena, who sliced between two defenders in a burst up the right wing before delivering the assist.
Betis’ Chimy Avila hit the post with an acrobatic volley one minute later and both teams wasted several chances for the winner late on.
Earlier on Thursday, Getafe held Copa del Rey champions Athletic Bilbao to a 1-1 draw.
Hosts Athletic got the lead with a brilliant Oihan Sancet strike from long range in the 27th minute, but that was canceled out by a towering header from 21-year-old Nigerian Chrisantus Uche in the 65th minute.
Two years ago, Uche was playing in the fifth division of Spanish soccer.
On Thursday, he scored during his debut with top-flight Getafe.
“I’m feeling so good,” he said. “To score a goal in my debut is amazing. I’m really happy.”
Uche was with fifth-division club Moralo CP before joining third-division side AD Ceuta for a reported transfer fee of 800 euros (US$879) last year.
Defending champions Real Madrid, now with Kylian Mbappe in the squad, are to start their La Liga season against RCD Mallorca tomorrow.
Barcelona are to play Valencia today, while Atletico Madrid are to face Villarreal on Monday.
Additional reporting by AP
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