Atlético lose 1st game of season, Hazard debuts for Madrid

Spanish league leader Atlético Madrid lost its first game of the season on Saturday, while Eden Hazard made his long-awaited debut for Real Madrid before both rivals face tough Champions League openers.

Atlético won the first three rounds until its attack failed at Real Sociedad, which dictated the game, the playmaking, and scored the opening goal through Norway midfielder Martin Odegaard in the 2-0 victory.

Hazard injured a thigh in preseason, and the club-record signing from Chelsea missed Madrid's first three league matches. By the time he stepped onto the field to loud applause in the 60th minute at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Karim Benzema's double and another goal from Casemiro had given Madrid the advantage it needed to end a run of two straight draws and beat Levante 32.

"When he touches the ball he has his aim set on the goal, but what he needs now is to train more. He has only had four practice sessions with the team," Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said of Hazard.

Madrid pulled to within one point of leader Atlético.

Athletic Bilbao also has eight points along with Madrid.

Madrid visits the Paris SaintGermain of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in their first Champions League match on Wednesday, while Atlético hosts Cristano Ronaldo's Juventus. The Italian champion eliminated Atlético from last year's round-of-16.

Barcelona hosts Valencia in Saturday's late Spanish league game.

OUTPLAYED ATLETICO

With Spain forward Mikel Oyarzabal and Odegaard leading the way in San Sebastian, Sociedad showed much more verve, speed, and determination to possess the ball and attack Atlético in waves.

Odegaard, who is playing on loan from Real Madrid, put the hosts ahead in the 58th when he culminated a quick buildup by cutting across the area before firing a shot that deflected off Atlético's Stefan Savic and left goalkeeper Jan Oblak without a chance.