MADRID, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The eagerly anticipated Madrid derby between Atletico and Real Madrid failed to produce the expected sparks in the seventh round of matches on Sunday in Spain's Liga Santander.
What was expected to be an example of the blood and thunder rivalry between the two bitter local rivals turned out to be a tepid affair as tactics played a major role in the game and chances were kept to a minimum.
Real Madrid will probably come away happier of the two sides as the draw allows them to remain unbeaten and top, as well as maintaining their advantage over Diego Simeone's side.
Marc Andre Ter Stegen was vital as an injury-hit FC Barcelona were able to claim their first win of the campaign with a 2-0 win against Getafe.
Barca was without the injured Leo Messi and Jordi Alba and under-pressure coach Ernesto Valverde also had to contend with the late withdrawals of Ousmane Dembele and Ansu Fati with injury issues but his goalkeeper produced a series of excellent stops and even turned provider with a long ball for Luis Suarez's 40th-minute opening goal for Barca.
Junior Firpo sealed the win with his first goal for the club, three minutes into the second half, but Barca's afternoon was spoiled when Clement Lenglet was sent off nine minutes from time to mean he will miss next weekend's game against his former club, Sevilla.
Real Sociedad missed a chance to move top after they lost a thrilling game 3-2 away to Sevilla.
Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring in the third minute, but Sevilla overturned that thanks to goals from Nolito, Lucas Ocampos, and Fran Vazquez, before Portu, set up a nervy end with a goal in the 86th minute of the game.
Denis Cheryshev's 26th-minute goal on the break gave Valencia a 1-0 win away to Athletic Club Bilbao. The home side improved after the break and was unlucky to see Inaki Williams' effort come back off the woodwork as they suffered their first home defeat under coach Gaizka Garitano.
Granada continued their excellent start to the campaign and moved second with a 1-0 win at home to Leganes, who remain bottom of the table with just two points. Puertas' 27th-minute goal was enough to give Granada all three points to keep them third in the table.
Alaves coach Asier Garitano watched his side take a much-needed win as they beat Mallorca 2-0.
The game was all level until the 75th minute when Lucas Perez put the home side ahead from the penalty spot and Joselu sealed the win in the 85th minute.
Eibar took their second home win in a week as they built on the midweek 3-2 win against Sevilla with a 2-0 victory at home to Celta Vigo.
Espanyol coach David Gallego is facing the sack as his side's poor start continued with a 2-0 defeat to home to Valladolid.
Espanyol's cause wasn't helped by Fernando Calero's 64th minute sending off against his former club, but by then Espanyol already trailed to Michel's 24th-minute penalty and with Wu Lei on the bench until the 63rd minute rarely threatening a rival who sealed the win with Oscar Plano's injury-time strike.
Finally, Levante and Osasuna drew 1-1 with Ruben Garcia canceling out Jorge Hernani's opener for the home side, with Hernani sent off for a bad challenge midway through the second half.
