Barcelona leave it late

Barcelona made it two wins in as many games under new coach Luis Enrique as 19-year-old Sandro Ramirez's debut goal eight minutes from time was enough to hand them a 1-0 win at Villarreal on Sunday.

Sandro had replaced the ineffective Pedro Rodriguez for the final 20 minutes as Barca looked set for a frustrating evening as Villarreal keeper Sergio Asenjo kept them at bay.

However, after Asenjo had again done well to keep out Lionel Messi's low drive, Sandro was left with the simplest of finishes from close range.

Enrique had handed another start to 18-year-old Munir El Haddadi as Neymar was only fit enough for a place on the bench, while Rafinha was preferred to Xavi Hernandez in the absence of the injured Andres Iniesta.

Barca completely dominated possession in the opening 45 minutes, but failed to create clear-cut chances as Asenjo parried a drive from Pedro before turning a deflected Messi free-kick onto the post.

Villarreal's best opening of the first 45 minutes came when Victor Ruiz bundled the ball over the bar when completely unmarked at the back post.

There was still time for a final scare for Barca as Giovanni dos Santos smashed a volley off the post from a narrow angle, but Enrique's men held on to go top of the embryonic La Liga table.

On Saturday, La Liga champions Atletico Madrid recorded their first victory of the campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 win over newly-promoted Eibar.

First-half headers from Miranda and Mario Mandzukic ultimately proved decisive, but Atletico were given a scare after Abraham's brilliant strike had brought Eibar back into the game.

The visitors had a great chance to level the game three minutes from time, but Angel's effort trickled inches past the far post as Atletico held on.

Diego Simeone's men had been held 0-0 at local rivals Rayo Vallecano in their league opener on Monday, but normal service appeared to have been resumed by two set-piece goals inside the first 25 minutes.

Brazilian defender Miranda put the hosts in front when he met Koke's corner at the near post and the ball flew into the net via the underside of the bar.

Eibar had produced an upset in beating near neighbours Real Sociedad in their first ever Spanish top-flight match last weekend, but they were punished for their defending 15 minutes later when Mandzukic planted a header from Gabi's free-kick into the far corner.

However, the Basques responded in fine style and after Miguel Angel Moya had beaten away Javi Lara's free-kick, they produced a moment of sheer quality to get back into the match.

A flowing move resulted in left-back Abraham curling Mikel Arruabarrena's backheel into the top corner from outside the area with his right foot.

RESULTS
Barcelona 1 (Sandro 82) Villarreal  0
Cordoba 1 (Cartabia 59) Celta Vigo 1 (Orellana 52)
Athletic Bilbao 3 (Aduriz 32, Iturraspe 51, Muniain 76) Levante 0
Atletico Madrid 2 (Miranda 11, Mandzukic 25) Eibar 1 (Abraham 33)
Espanyol 1 (Stuani 61) Sevilla 2 (Bacca 33, Iborra 56)