Valencia break seven-year La Liga drought

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Daniel Wass of Valencia CF celebrates with team mates after scoring their side's first goal during the La Liga Santader match between Valencia CF and Deportivo Alaves at Estadio Mestalla on August 27, 2021 in Valencia, Spain.

Valencia have beaten Alaves 3-0 to win two straight home games at the start of the Spanish league season for the first time in seven years.

Daniel Wass scored three minutes into the match before Carlos Soler and Goncalo Guedes added a goal each at Mestalla Stadium.

Valencia hadn't won two consecutive matches at Mestalla to open their league campaign since 2014-15, when they went on to win five in a row at home.

Friday's win left Valencia top of the standings with seven points from three matches, along with Mallorca, ahead of the rest of the round.

"We worked well in the preseason and were hopeful of a good beginning in the league," Guedes said. "We played a good match individually and collectively."

It was the third consecutive loss for last-place Alaves following setbacks at home against Real Madrid and at Mallorca. Alaves have been outscored 8-1 by their opponents.

Wass opened the scoring early from close range, then Soler added to the lead in first-half injury time and Guedes sealed the victory in the 60th.

Valencia had opened with a 1-0 win against Getafe, then drew 1-1 at Granada.

In a match between promoted clubs, Mallorca beat Espanyol 1-0 for their second win in a row with Japan forward Takefusa Kubo playing well from the start for the hosts. IMG-20210828-063122-066

Kubo returned to Mallorca on loan from Real Madrid after playing with Getafe last season.

Dani Rodriguez scored the winner in the 27th after Espanyol defenders failed to clear the ball inside the area.

Espanyol, coming off two consecutive 0-0 draws, had defender Sergi Gomez sent off in injury time after a foul to stop a breakaway.

Mallorca were held to a 1-1 draw against Real Betis in their opener at home.

On Saturday, Real Madrid - still waiting on the possible arrival of Kylian Mbappe - visit Betis to try to rebound from a draw at Levante.

On Sunday, Barcelona hosts Getafe and defending champions Atletico Madrid host winless Villarreal.

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