The first LaLiga match produced a very hard fought clash between the reigning LaLiga champions Real Madrid and the newly promoted side UD Almeria. The reigning champions began the defense of their title by coming from behind to beat the almerienses. Lucas Vázquez's goal and a gorgeous David Alaba free-kick were enough to overturn a 1-0 deficit and seal all three points for Ancelotti's boys in the opener. Before the start, Almeria gave Real Madrid a guard of honor for their latest success in the UEFA Super Cup.
It would be an uphill task from early on, after Ramazani beat Thibaut Courtois in a one-on-one with just six minutes gone. From then on, the chances began to flow for Madrid, the first coming on 10’ when Vini Jr. crossed from the left and Karim Benzema shot over from inside the six-yard box. Six minutes later, Fede Valverde's fierce drive from the edge of the area was well repelled by the fists of Fernando.
Our team continued to look dangerous in and around the opposition box and there was chaos when Toni Kroos whipped in a corner with 20 minutes gone but Benzema's effort was blocked by Babic. The same duo were at it again eight minutes later, Kroos floating in an inch-perfect cross which was met by a powerful Benzema header, but the hosts' inspired goalkeeper was on hand to keep the Frenchman at bay once again.
Fernando's impressive performance continued as he saved his team on another couple of occasions, first when Vini Jr. raced in behind and second, by containing a Rüdiger header from Kroos' corner. On the stroke of half-time, Lucas Vázquez thought he just had leveled as he put the ball in the back of the net but unfortunately saw the raised flag as his strike got ruled out for off-side.
Madridistas made a real statement of intent after the restart, with a Vini Jr. cross-shot on 47’ flying past Fernando, only to crash against the frame of the goal. To say Los Merengues had piled pressure on Almeria would be an understatement, by the 49th minute of the game the corner count was already 13-0 in favour of the Spanish champions. Federico Valverde's stunning pass across the face of goal missed the head of every Real Madrid attacker, with those in attendance unsure as to how the hosts were remaining in front.
Five minutes later, Benzema picked out Valverde with a cross and the Uruguayan’s effort was gathered in by the goalkeeper. It seemed as if it was only a matter of time before Madrid would level terms and Benzema again came close on 55’ after being teed up by a fine pass from Vini Jr., but Fernando was once again equal to a thumping left-footed shot by the Frenchman from inside the box.
The deserved equaliser duly materialised with an hour played. Vini Jr., heavily involved throughout, conjured up a delightful pass to himself inside the box to evade the attentions of two home defenders. Fernando parried the ball, but following a series of ricochets, Benzema produced a clever drag back, passing to Vazquez at the back, with the latter sending the ball into the back of the net with a left-footed finish. The pressure created by Carlo Ancelotti's side finally paid off.
The contest was now all square and the reigning LaLiga champions had half an hour on the clock to secure the spoils and they did just that with a tremendous strike. From there it seemed just a matter of time before Real Madrid would take the lead as a lot of the spirit and energy had gone from Almeria's diligent defensive display.
David Alaba, who had only just entered the fray, unleashed a blockbuster of a left-footed strike from the edge of the area. The Austrian international has seldom been able to show his prowess from set-pieces since joining from Bayern Munich, yet his free-kick from just outside the penalty area was perfectly struck over the wall and into the net via a cushioned assist from the right-hand post. The visitors had completed the comeback and saw out the rest of the game courtesy of some sound game management to claim the first three points of the campaign.
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