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The Nou Camp stared in disbelief as Barcelona slumped to their first home defeat since May 23, 2009. Paraguayan striker Nelson Valdez scored a brace to give Hercules their first win of the season. Pep Guardiola handed Javier Mascherano his first start and he lined up alongside the big guns, Lionel Messi, David Villa and Andres Iniesta. Barcelona started brightly but had only themselves to blame for going 1-0 down. On loan Real Madrid wingback Royston Drenthe floated a free kick into the box and Barca defended poorly to allow Valdez to bundle home to put Hercules in the lead. Guardiola brought on Xavi Hernandez and Pedro Rodriguez at half time but it was Hercules that started strongly and took a deserved 2-0 lead around the hour mark. Tiago Gomes crossed from the right to Valdez, who unleashed a shot into the top corner. Barca will have to pick themselves up from the humiliating defeat and turn their attention towards their Champions League tie on Tuesday against Panathinaikos.
Jose Mourinho recorded his first La Liga victory with Real Madrid thanks to a narrow 1-0 win over Osasuna. Ricardo Carvalho scored the only goal of the game a few minutes after the restart, as he tapped in from a few yards out, after being setup by Cristiano Ronaldo. Madrid started with all their start attractions in Mesut Ozil, Karim Benzema, Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain. They dominated the game for large periods but failed to press home the advantage. But overall, Mourinho will be pleased to finally get a win and look ahead to their Champions League fixture in midweek against Ajax.
Atletico Madrid maintained their perfect start to the season by sealing a 2-1 victory against Athletic Bilbao. Atletico went ahead in the 11th minute through Diego Forlan. The Uruguayan slotted home for his 3rd goal of the season but Madrid had to wait till the 80th minute to seal victory as Tiago Motta headed in to put them 2-0 ahead. Fernando Llorente gave the home side hope when he scored with 2 minutes to go but Madrid held on to secure a vital victory.
Over at the Mestalla , Valencia continued their strong start to the season with a 1-0 win over Racing Santander. Hedwiges Maduro scored the only goal of the game on the stroke of half time when he got behind the Racing defence to head in Mata's cross. The win maintained Valencia's 100 percent start to the season while Racing are winless so far this season.
Scores:
Barcelona 0-2 Hercules
Real Madrid 1-0 Osasuna
Athletic Bilbao 1-2 Atletico Madrid
Valencia 1-0 Racing Santader
Sunday's Fixtures:
Getafe v Levante
Real Zaragoza v Malaga
Sporting Gijon v Real Mallorca
Villarreal v Espanyol
Sevilla v Deportivo La Coruna
- 14/09/2010 12:08 - UEFA Champions League Preview: AC Milan vs. Auxerre
- 13/09/2010 11:13 - Serie A Weekend wrap: AC Milan stunned by Cesena, Cagliari humble Roma
- 13/09/2010 09:53 - UEFA Champions League Preview: Werder Bremen vs. Tottenham Hotspur

