Madrid: Athletic Bilbao beat promoted Hercules 1-0 on Saturday in the first game of the Spanish league season.
Spain striker Fernando Llorente drifted away from his marker at a free kick in the 46th minute and scored with a glancing header. Hercules' Matias Fritzler was sent off in injury time for a second yellow card.
Thirteen years after its last topflight appearance, Hercules took control early on at its Jose Rico Perez Stadium. Sendoa Aguirre went close in the 18th and Javier Portillo had a shot saved by Gorka Iraizoz three minutes later.
In the 67th, Portillo came close again, with an attempted lob. Injuries to Gaizka Toquero and Igor Gabilondo meant Bilbao had to substitute both players. Later, Malaga hosts Valencia and Sevilla visits Levante.
Sunday's games are Deportivo La Coruna vs. Zaragoza; Espanyol vs. Getafe; Real Sociedad vs. Villarreal; Osasuna vs. Almeria; Racing Santander vs. Barcelona; and Mallorca vs. Real Madrid. On Monday it's Atletico Madrid vs. Sporting Gijon.
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