Real picks up first win, Villarreal ready for Manchester United

MADRID: Real Madrid got its title defense up and running on Sunday, grinding out a 4-3 home victory over newcomer Numancia which shocked the reigning champion by taking the lead twice.

It was a first win of the campaign for Real following its 2-1 loss at Deportivo La Coruna and bolstered confidence for Wednesday's Champions League opener against Belarus minnow BATE Borisov.

Stand-in captain Guti had the honor of scoring Real's 5,000th league goal to equalize before Gonzalo Higuain netted and Rafael van der Vaart scored his first goal in a Real shirt.