MADRID, Aug. 28 -- Real Madrid kicked off the Spanish La Liga season with a 6-0 win away to Zaragoza on Sunday.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick while Marcelo, Xabi Alonso and Kaka also got on the score sheet as Jose Mourinho's side romped to a win that was so easy it was almost embarrassing.
Real Madrid never looked in trouble against a time in financial administration and the victory could well set the tone for another season in which they go head to head with FC Barcelona with the other 18 sides in Spain trailing far behind.
Sunday's games kicked off at mid-day as Atletico Madrid and Osasuna both missed chances in a 0-0 draw in the Vicente Calderon Stadium.
Rayo Vallacano, who also returned to the top flight, took a merited point away to fancied Athletic club Bilbao. Ander Iturraspe put Athletic ahead early in the second half, but veteran midfielder Jose Movilla leveled from inside the home area not long afterwards.
Joanthan de Guzman's deflected shot was enough to give Mallorca a 1-0 win against an Espanyol side that was clearly missing the firepower of Pablo Osvaldo, who looks set to leave the club before the end of the transfer deadline.
Getafe drew 1-1 at home to Levante in front of a sparsely populated Alfonso Perez Coliseum. Miku put Getafe ahead in the second half, but Getafe coach Luis Garcia's home debut, which was against his former club, was ruined when Juanlu leveled for the visitors, 13 minutes from time.
Sevilla got off to a flying start against big spending Malaga, when Alvaro Negredo scored in the second minute and doubled his side's lead after 25 minutes.
Santi Cazorla scored a free kick nine minutes from time to give some emotion to the game, but Sevilla held on to help overcome the disappointment of going out of Europe in midweek and to show Malaga that despite their signings, the club needs time to form a team.
On Saturday night, Granada returned to the Spanish La Liga league after a 35 year absence with a 0-1 defeat against Betis on Saturday night.
A dull game was decided by a late header from Betis striker Ruben Castro, although neither team did anything to suggest they will do anything other than struggle this campaign.
Valencia and Racing Santander produced a seven goal thriller in the Mestalla Stadium with Valencia striker Roberto Soldado scored a hat-trick as Valencia scored two late goals to defeat Racing 4-3.
Soldado scored at both ends in the opening five minutes, putting his side ahead in the first minute of the game, but four minutes later he deflected a corner into his own net to make the score 1-1. Lautaro Acosta and Adrian Gonzalez made it 3-1 for the visitors and Valencia looked to be heading for defeat.
Adil Rami's powerful header gave the home side hope and in a dramatic finish, Soldado scored twice in the last two minutes to give Valencia what had looked like an unlikely win.
The day kicked off with Real Sociedad winning 2-1 away to Sporting Gijon thanks to two goals from Imanol Agirretxe, who had the honor of scoring the first two goals of the season.
FC Barcelona end the first round of games at home to Villarreal on Monday night.