GIRONA, Spain — Atletico Madrid demonstrated its remarkable team spirit to come roaring back from two goals and a man down to draw 2-2 at Liga debutant Girona Saturday, after Antoine Griezmann had been sent off for the first time in his career.

Girona looked set to enjoy a dream top flight bow when Uruguay international Cristhian Stuani rose to head in a sweeping cross from Alex Granell midway through the first half and three minutes later showed his predator’s instinct to nod in a loose ball from close range.

Argentine forward Angel Correa pulled one back for Atletico with a long range strike in the 78th minute, after Griezmann had been dismissed for two successive bookings, one for diving to try and win a penalty and another for dissent.

Defender Jose Gimenez then beat Girona goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz to Koke’s chipped freekick to head Atletico level in the 85th minute and cap a thrilling encounter at the Montilivi stadium, which was hastily expanded for the club’s first Liga game.

Elsewhere Saturday, Real Sociedad twice came from behind to win 3-2 at Celta Vigo, snatching three points with a late penalty from Willian Jose after Uruguayan Maxi Gomez had scored twice on his debut for Celta.

Sevilla meanwhile drew 1-1 at home to Espanyol, with Argentine midfielder Ever Banega being sent off for two successive yellow cards on his first game back at the Andalusian club, one for a foul and the other for protesting the foul.

Juventus survive VAR Incident to beat Cagliari

Juventus began its pursuit of a seventh successive Serie A title with a 3-0 home win over Cagliari Saturday after the Sardinians missed a penalty awarded with the help of a video replay.

Mario Mandzukic, Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain scored for the Turin side in the match which kicked off the Serie A season, but the game could have taken a different course if Diego Farias had converted a spot kick for Cagliari when it was 1-0 behind.

Napoli picked up where it left off last season with another fine attacking display to win 3-1 at promoted Verona.

Serie A is among the leagues which are trialling the use of video assistant referees (VAR) this season and they were brought into action for the first time just after the half hour mark at the Allianz Stadium.

Cagliari’s Duje Cop went down under a challenge from Alex Sandro and the ball ran on to Farias who sent a deflected shot over the crossbar.

Referee Fabio Maresca awarded a corner, however, after consulting with the VAR, he went over to the television monitor on the touchline, returned to the pitch, drew a television in the air and pointed to the spot.

Replays showed that contact was minimal and Juventus protested but they need not have worried as a weak Farias penalty was comfortably saved by Juve’s 39-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. — Agencies