Real Sociedad defeats Sporting Gijón in the first game of the season in La Liga

Imanol Agirretxe headed two goals to give 10-man Real Sociedad a 2-1 win at Sporting Gijon in the first game of the Spanish league season on Saturday.

Agirretxe scored with a header in the 35th minute off a pass from defender Carlos Martinez, and added another in the 65th after Xabi Prieto knocked on a cross from Alberto de la Bella.

Sporting's Miguel de Las Cuevas scored with a penalty kick in the 68th after Martinez was ejected for pulling down Alberto Botia in the area. But Sociedad held its lead to give coach Philippe Montanier his debut win.

Lineups
Sporting Gijón: Colinas, Iván Soto, Botía, Canella, Alberto Ramos, Sergio Álvarez (59' Alberto Rivera), Eguren (58' Oscar Trejo), de las Cuevas, Nacho Novo (69' Gastón Sangoy), David Barral, André Castro.

Real Sociedad: Bravo, Iñigo Martínez, Demidov, de la Bella, Carlos Martínez, Illarramendi, Aranburu, Agirretxe (82' Diego Ifrán), Xabi Prieto, Carlos Vela (89' Mikel González), Zurutuza (72' Daniel Estrada)

Goal Scorers: Agirretxe (35' 0-1), Agirretxe (65' 0-2), de las Cuevas (68' 1-2 P.K.)