Easy victories for Barcelona, Real

Barcelona got off to a winning start in La Liga on Sunday, beating Real Betis 2-0 in a subdued atmosphere at the Nou Camp after the deadly attacks in the Catalan capital and the town of Cambrils.

Betis defender Alin Tosca diverted a cross from the lively Gerard Deulofeu into his own net to put Barca ahead in the 36th minute, while the former Everton forward, who returned to his boyhood club this summer, also laid on the pass for the second goal which was smashed in by Sergi Roberto in the 39th.

Lionel Messi was the fulcrum of most of Barca’s creativity and more responsibility was placed on his shoulders due to the absence of Luis Suarez and Andres Iniesta.

But the Argentine was denied a goal, hitting the woodwork three times.

There was a solemn feeling at the Nou Camp before and during the game with only 56,480 supporters at the 99,000-capacity arena.

Real Madrid’s winning streak shows no signs of abating as the European champions began their defence of La Liga with a comfortable 3-0 win at Deportivo la Coruna.

Gareth Bale, Casemiro and Toni Kroos were on target for the visitors, but Madrid’s night at La Riazor ended on a sour note when captain Sergio Ramos was shown the 23rd red card of his Real career.

Ramos could have been dismissed earlier in the secondhalf when he only received a yellow card for a slap on Deportivo defender Fabian Schar.

Deportivo were left to rue two big opportunities missed by striker Florin Andone in the first few minutes, whilst the Romanian international also saw a late penalty saved by Keylor Navas.

Inter captain Mauro Icardi hit a brace and Ivorian Franck Kessie opened his AC Milan account as the northern giants matched Juventus’s winning start to the Serie A season with respective 3-0 victories.

Left in the shade by Juventus for the past six seasons, both Inter and Milan are hoping to turn the tables and challenge for the scudetto on their way to claiming one of four Champions League places.

And neither of the San Siro giants disappointed on their way to going joint top of the table with Juventus, Napoli, Chievo, Sampdoria and Roma also sitting on three points following opening day victories. Icardi bore the brunt of the blame for much of Inter’s disastrous campaign last season, which left them in seventh and out of Europe.

But at a packed San Siro and under the watchful eyes of new Inter coach Luciano Spalletti, the Argentina international made amends with a confident firsthalf brace that included a sixthminute penalty after he was caught by Fiorentina defender Davide Astori on the edge of the area.