La Liga wrap: Soldado stars as action returns

Roberto Soldado went from hero to villain and back again as Valencia beat Racing Santander 4-3 in La Liga on Saturday.

Real Sociedad and Real Betis also posted victories, but the 32,000 fans at the Mestalla saw an absolutely brilliant match as the seven-goal thriller was only decided in the very last minute.

Soldado began his eventful match with a second-minute goal, although he then put the ball into the wrong net just five minutes later as Racing Santander drew level.

Lautaro Acosta put Santander in front after 14 minutes and when Adrian netted 11 minutes into the second half, the visitors led 3-1 and looked like causing a big opening-day upset.

But French defender Adil Rami dragged Valencia back into the contest with his goal on 58 minutes before Soldado made a late, dramatic impact.

Not only did he restore parity with his 88th minute equaliser, but he also managed to bag a winner in stoppage time to send the home crowd into raptures.

Sporting Gijon beat Real Sociedad 2-1 thanks to a double from Agirretxe in a match which saw both sides finish with 10 men.

And there was more late drama in Granada as the La Liga newcomers were beaten by an 88th minute goal to Ruben Castro, which gave Real Betis a 1-0 win on the road.