VAR takes center stage as Real Madrid beat 10-man Betis

MADRID - Real Madrid won 3-2 away to Real Betis in La Liga on Saturday, in another game where VAR had a major say and which Betis defender Emerson will probably want to forget.

Emerson scored an own goal in the 48th minute to make it 2-2 after goals from Aissa Mandi and William Carvalho had canceled out Fede Valverde's 14th minute opener for Real Madrid.

The defender was then shown a direct red card in the 67th minute on the instruction of VAR for bringing down Luka Jovic when the striker looked to be through on goal.

Sergio Ramos won the game for Madrid with an 82nd minute penalty again awarded by VAR after Marc Bartra was adjudged to have handled a ball from Borja Mayoral, although nobody had appealed for the foul.

Ramos chipped the ball into the middle of the Betis goal to give his side their first win of the season and end Betis' winning start to the campaign.

Real Sociedad ruined Elche's return to the top flight as they won 3-0 in Elche's Martin Valero stadium, with all the goals coming in the second half.

Portu opened the scoring in the 55th minute from a tight angle after a pass from Mikel Merino, and Adnan Januzaj doubled the visitors' lead 13 minutes from time from the penalty spot after he had been clipped in the Elche area.

Roberto Lopez sealed the win in the 94th minute with a powerful shot into the corner after another assist from the impressive Merino.

Valencia were held 1-1 at home to newly-promoted Huesca in a game the visiting side probably deserved to win.

Valencia took the lead thanks to Daniel Wass' free kick from the touchline which evaded everyone on its way into the net, but Huesca got a well-deserved equalizer when Dimitrios Siovas headed home following a corner.

The first game of the day saw Alaves draw 0-0 at home to Getafe in a game that was more entertaining than the scoreline indicates. Both sides had chances to win, but the draw leaves Alaves with just one point from their first three games of the season.

The remaining games will be played on Sunday, with FC Barcelona kicking off their season at home to Villarreal.