Real Betis 0-0 Deportivo La Coruna: Disappointing match ends all square
Having drawn 18 matches last season Deportivo gained their fourth point of the fledgling season though they struggled without Arsenal bound striker Lucas Perez. For the hosts, 35-year-old striker Joaquin Sanchez looked most likely to create something of note.
Joaquin wriggled through a number of tackles before playing a good pass to Tonny Sanabria but in keeping with a poor first-half he sent a right-footed effort well wide of the post seven minutes before half-time. It was, however, the closest either side came in the opening half.
Riza Durmisi brought a tip-over save from German Lux in the Depor goal in what was the first goalmouth incident of the second period following a run down the left and Betis had a good shout for a penalty when Depor midfielder Mosquera seemed to handle the ball in the area.
Also read: 5 things to know about Arsenal target Lucas Perez
Charly Musonda was the main threat for Betis and a smart passage of play saw him played into an advanced position after 75 minutes but Juanfran managed to intercept his cross and cleared the danger.
Ruben Castro couldn’t make proper contact with an effort for Betis following an inept defensive header from Luisinho after 81 minutes and Borja Valle headed wide a late chance for Depor. Over the course of the 90 minutes neither side deserved to win the game, however.
Espanyol 2-2 Malaga: Visitors come back from the dead to draw at RCDE Stadium
Malaga scored in the last minute of the game to complete an unlikely comeback and draw 2-2 at Espanyol. Gerard Moreno put Espanyol in control with a good run and finish from the edge of the box in the 27th minute followed by a well-timed leap to head home from eight yards out just past the hour mark.
Diego Llorente pulled one back for Malaga midway through the second half when goalkeeper Jimenez blocked a free kick which then ricocheted off Llorente's head and into the net.
Substitute centre-forward Charles ran onto Ignacio Camacho’s header from a long free-kick to poke the ball past Jimenez and steal a share of the points with time almost up.
Both teams remained winless having played two games. The draw was especially disappointing for Espanyol who were seeking to rebound from a 6-4 loss against Sevilla in its season-opener. It was a second draw in a row for Malaga under manager Juande Ramos.
