Both Real Madrid and Barcelona slumped to first round away defeats last night - against Deportivo and Numancia, respectively - while Atlético Madrid have gone to the top of the table for the first time in four seasons after beating Málaga 4-0 at home.

Having not won at the Riazor since 1991, the defending champions went behind in the 26th minute when Mista headed home a Pepe cross from the left. Ruud van Nistelrooy levelled the scores two minutes after the resumption but Lopo sealed the victory in the 51st minute with a towering header that Casillas could do nothing with.

After an eight-year absence, Numancia celebrated their return to the top flight with a tenuous 1-0 win against Barcelona, who have never won in Soria. The only goal of a game replete with chances for the visitors was scored by Mario Martínez in the 13th minute.

Diego Forlán (photo) netted twice for Atlético as they romped to a 4-0 home victory against Málaga to complete an excellent week for Fernando Torres's old club, who beat Schalke 04 by the same margin to seal their qualification for the league phase of the Champions League last Wednesday.

Coincidentally, with the two clubs drawn in the same group, there was a debut goal for former Liverpool striker, Sinama Piongolle, who netted the fourth nine minutes from time.

On Saturday David Villa was among the scorers as Valencia kicked off their campaign with a 3-0 home win against Real Mallorca.

Sunday 31st August
Athletic Bilbao 1-3 Almeria
Atletico Madrid 4-0 Malaga
Sporting Gijon 1-2 Getafe
Real Betis 0-1 Recreativo Huelva
Numancia 1-0 Barcelona
Deportivo La Coruna 2-1 Real Madrid
Osasuna 1-1 Villarreal
Racing Santander 1-1 Sevilla

Saturday, 30th August
Espanyol 1-0 Valladolid
Valencia 3-0 Mallorca

Liga standings, points after 1 game
1   Atletico Madrid  3
2   Valencia  3
3   Almeria  3
4   Deportivo La Coruna  3
5   Getafe  3
6   Espanyol  3
7   Numancia  3
8   Recreativo Huelva  3
9   Osasuna  1
10  Racing Santander  1
11  Sevilla  1
12  Villarreal  1
13  Real Madrid  0
14  Sporting Gijon  0
15  Barcelona  0
16  Real Betis  0
17  Real Valladolid  0
18  Athletic Bilbao  0
19  Real Mallorca  0
20  Malaga  0

Sunday, 14th September
Almeria vs Valencia
Barcelona vs Racing Santander
Getafe vs Real Betis
Malaga vs Athletic Bilbao
Mallorca vs Osasuna
Real Madrid vs Numancia
Recreativo Huelva vs Espanyol
Sevilla vs Sporting Gijon
Valladolid vs Atletico Madrid
Villarreal vs Deportivo La Coruna