Castro's Late Winner Lifts Betis 1-0 Over Mallorca

Barcelona, Spain, Sept 12: Ruben Castro scored a late winner for the second straight week to give Real Betis a 1-0 victory over Mallorca on Sunday as the promoted Andalusian side continued a perfect start to the Spanish league season.

Also, Sergio Garcia scored a double to lift Espanyol to a 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao, while Osasuna continued its strong start with a 2-1 win over Sporting Gijon.

Castro was well-placed at the far post for his volley after a corner kick was unintentionally flicked on by a Mallorca defender in the 86th minute.

Betis had hit the woodwork three times in the first half and had various chances after halftime at Benito Villamarin stadium in Seville before Castro broke through.

In week one, the Spanish striker also scored Betis' 88th-minute winner against Granada.

“From the opening whistle we gave it a tremendous effort,” Betis coach Pepe Mel said. “We have to be satisfied with the work both in defense and attack of all 11 players.”

Betis, which spent the last two seasons in the second division, is level with Real Madrid and Valencia at the top of the standings. Defending champion Barcelona is two points behind.

In Barcelona, Espanyol went ahead in a frenetic first half when 20-year-old striker Alvaro Vazquez crossed for a charging Garcia to smash with a header in the 25th.

Espanyol goalkeeper Cristian Alvarez made a number of excellent saves, but the Argentine could only watch in the 62nd when Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente rose above two defenders to head home Markel Susaeta's corner.

Just when Bilbao looked close to a second goal, Garcia took advantage of a pair of defensive mistakes to put the hosts back in front for good in the 73rd. Garcia slipped behind the distracted defense to tap on a free kick that goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz spilled in front of his net for the former Zaragoza forward to finish off.

The game featured the reunion of Bilbao's new coach Marcelo Bielsa and his former protege Mauricio Pochettino, who was mentored by Bielsa as a young defender with Newells Old Boys.

“Yes, the pupil has beaten the master,” Bielsa said after his team failed to get its first win. “The team's performance wasn't good and the difference could be seen on the pitch. If Bilbao's fans have doubts, they're justified.”

Always tough at Reyno de Navarra stadium, Osasuna dominated early en route to handing a lackluster Sporting its second straight loss.

Osasuna striker Kike Sola picked out Juan “Nino” Martinez at the far post for the winger to score from close range in the 28th, and two minutes later midfielder Alvaro Cejudo volleyed in Sergio Fernandez's cross from the edge of the area.

Second-half substitute David Barral pulled one back for Sporting in the 75th when goalie Andres Fernandez let his dipping shot slip under him and into the net.

Sporting looked for the equalizer but the undefeated Osasuna held on for the win in its home opener.

“(Fernandez) knows what happened, but he was brave and showed he has character,” said Osasuna coach Jose Luis Mendilibar. “Today I take away what we did well, although we have to play smarter when we get tired.”

Elsewhere, Levante couldn't take advantage of its extra man in the final 10 minutes after Racing Santander midfielder Papakouly Diop was sent off with two yellow cards and had to settle for a 0-0 away draw.

Zaragoza, meanwhile, failed to bounce back from the 6-0 loss to Madrid in week one as it was held to a 0-0 draw by promoted Rayo Vallecano.

New goalkeeper Roberto Jimenez salvaged Zaragoza an away draw when he blocked Javi Fuego's spot kick in the 70th after defender Paulo Da Silva handled in the area.

“(Roberto) had a good day,” said coach Javier Aguirre, whose Zaragoza has yet to score a goal. “The team took a point and left with the feeling that it could have been worse.”

On Saturday, Karim Benzema scored a double as Madrid beat Getafe 4-2, while Barcelona squandered an early lead with a pair of defensive lapses that let Real Sociedad rally to a 2-2 draw.

Also, Roberto Soldado gave Valencia a 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid with his fourth goal of the season, and a 10-man Villarreal salvaged a 2-2 draw with Sevilla. Malaga visits Granada on Monday to close round two. AP