Almeria 1-2 Real Madrid: summary: score, goals, highlights, LaLiga 22/23

A winning start for Carlo Ancelotti as Real Madrid begin their title defence. 

Ramazini had the home crowd in raptures with his early goal but two second half strikes from the champions through Lucas Vazquez and an exquisite free from David Alaba were enough to secure three points for 'Los Blancos'.

The whistle sounds in Almeria and three points head back to the Spanish capital

Almeria win a free and now it's the turn of the home side to deliver some consistent pressure.

Six minutes of time to be added as Almeria press and win a late corner

Madrid almost make it 1-3 as Samu nearly puts the ball into his own net. Razor sharp reflex action from keeper Fernando manages to avert the danger but as things stand, it all Real Madrid as the clock ticks down.

Arnau carded as he pulls Hazard by the shirt

Five minutes remain as Almeria push making a late bid for an equaliser. The fans too find their voice in pushing the home side on.

Kroos and Vini Jr off

Ceballos and Casemiro on

Eguaras and Kaiky off

Arnau and Portillo on

Amazing strike from the Austrian .... sweet left foot and in with the aid of the post.

Almeria 1-2 Real Madrid

Goooooool. Alaba with a sweet strike from a free.... first touch from the Austrian

Mendy off

Alaba on 

Real Madrid substitute

Madrid also set to shuffle their bench as David Alaba is set to make an entrance.

Twenty minutes remain in Almeria as Sadiq and Ramazani are both subbed .... Sousa and Lazo are the replacements.

Curro carded as he clips Vini Jr

More changes imminent for Almeria as Sousa is poised to make an entrance for the home side

Gooooool. Lucas Vazquez fires Madrid level

An hour gone in Almeria and Madrid starting to dominate proceedings again with more possession than the home side. Almeria always quick to look for the pace of Ramazani and Sadiq. 

Tchouameni off for Hazard.... discreet debut for the French player in LaLiga

Curro on for Robertone (first switch for Almeria)

Two decent chances in quick succession for Almeria as Sadiq threatens again ... Courtois was on hand to avert the danger... End to end stuff now as the ball falls to Vini Jr and his efforts are thwarted by the men in red and white. 

Samu strikes from distance and the ball fizzes inches wide of the Madrid goal. Almeria have started strongly again with Sadiq and Ramazani always willing to pick up long balls into space.

Eden Hazard now warming up for Real Madrid as Almeria too start to warm up a series of subs.

No changes at the break for Almeria despite claims that Sadiq was not 100% fit.

Off we go again... Madrid start the action

It's actually Camavinga who makes way for the Croatian.

So what of the debuts from Rudiger and Tchouameni? The German was slightly at fault for the goal as Ramazani skipped by the defender with ease. The French midfielder has yet to find his feet as Modric warms up at the interval.

1-0 to UDA at the break

A fine run and finish from Belgian striker Ramazani is enough to separate the sides. Madrid thought they were level just before the break but the flag was up for offside as Lucas Vazquez thundfered the ball into the Almeria net.

The whistle sounds in Almeria and it's the home side who lead thanks to a fine sixth minute strike from Ramazani. Madrid looking dangerous with plenty of possession but nothing created to really trouble Fernando in the Almeria goal.

Shots in first half: Almeria 2-16 Real Madrid

We'll have an additional four minutes of time added on ! 

Delightful ball from Kroos and fine finish from the Galician but upon a VAR check, the referee awards a free for Almeria.

The ball is in the back of the Almeria net but the flag is up!

Kaiky at the heart of the Almeria defence has been immense tonight as once again he snubs out a Real Madrdi attack with Benzema denied by the No. 2.

Camavinga and Sadiq carded. The French player clips Ramazani and the Nigerian cautioned for an earlier incident.

Madrid win their 10th corner of the night and Vini Jr s without question the best player on the pitch in a lilac shirt.

Vini Jr breaks and has the best chance of the night for the visitors, no offside awarded as the Brazilian forces Fernando to push the ball wide for another corner for Madrid, their 9th of the half.

Madrid, despite their domination with the ball and forcing Fernando into action on a number of occasions are not fluid in their creative play with Almeria second guessing correctly their attacking forays.

Still a hustle and bustle affair in Almeria. The home side showing no stage fright being back in the top flight as they hold the European champions at bay.

Madrid dominating in terms of possession and chances created, but it's Almeria who dominate on the one statistic that counts thanks to the 6th minute goal from Ramazani. 

Great hit from Sadiq as the Nigerian striker almost makes it 2-0... breathtaking start in Almeria with action in both boxes.

This time it's Rudiger who goes close for Real Madrid as the ball takes a deflection from a man in red and white and goes behind for a corner kick.

A frantic start to the action in Almeria as the home side celebrate their goal, Madrid look to reply with Vinicius and Benzema going close.

Great work from the Belgian as he breaks the offside trap and slots in the corner despite Courtois' best efforts

Goooooooooooool. Almeria take the lead as Ramazani fires home

First (half) effort of the night falls to Lucas Vazquez as the Galician screws his shot wide of Fernando's goal.

Positive start from the home side as the ball falls to Sadiq. The home fans seem really up for this game .... what a way it would be to show the world that Almeria are back with a win over the current league champions. !

Off we go.... 

A packed house at the Power Horse Stadium with plenty of Real Madrid fans dotted among the 15,000 fans.... Sadiq starts but did neet attention from the physio pre game...

All set... great atmosphere as the crowd pay respect to all the Almeria fans who passed away over the summer months

The clock is ticking down towards kick-off. Massive night for Almeria and the club's fanbase as they welcome both the reigning league and European champions in Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid.

Real Madrid will sport their new all lilac away kit tonight at the Power Horse Stadium with Almeria in their classic red and white stripes with red shorts.

Of Almeria's starters, only 1 has played in top flight before

Only Ridrigo Ely has played top flight football in Spain with the remainder of Rubi's 11 men having never played in LaLiga Santander before. Rubi also admits that it's better to play the likes of Real Madrid now rather than towards the end of the season.

Almeria-Real Madrid: weather

It's a balmy August evening in Almeria with a current temperature of 29C/84F so testing conditions for the 22 men on the field of play.  

Almeria add Baptistao to 2022-23 season squad

The striker joins UDA for the rest of the season after making a name for himself as a goal hungry forward with the likes of Rayo Vallecano and Espanyol before moving to the Chinese Super League. 

The Brazilian fails to make tonight's squad as the striker is still not fully match fit.

A win for either side tonight would propel the victor joint top of LaLiga with Real Sociedad, Osasuna and Villarreal the three sides to have recorded an opening day win in the Spanish top flight.

Athletic-Mallorca / Getafe-Atleti and Betis-Elche close the opening day set of fixtures on Monday.

Juan Martínez Munuera to officiate

Benidorm born Juan Martínez Munuera is tonight's referee with the 40-year-old a FIFA ranked match official since 2015 and has overseen LaLiga games since 2013.

Almeria confirm XI

With an hour to kick-off, Rubi confirms his side ahead of the test at the Power Horse Stadium as Nigerian striker Sadiq (who has been subject to much exit speculation) starts alongside Belgian international Ramazani.

It's been three years since Saudi businessman Turki Al-Sheikh secured control of UD Almeria with grandiose promises of securing Champions League football in a few years. Despite an aggressive managerial policy that has seen managers come and go at the club during his reign, the first part of his plan to take Almeria towards European football materialised with the club securing promotion from the LaLiga Smartbank last season.  

The last time both these sides met at the corresponding venue was back in the 2014-15 season where Madrid ran out with a comprehensive 0-4 win and Almeria ended getting relegated at the end of the camnpaign. 

UDA fans out in force

A large number of Almeria fans wait outside the stadium for the arrival of the team coach with a raft of noise and colour to greet the side ahead of a huge night for the local club as they return to the top flight.

Almeria 'possible' XI

Still no confirmation from Almeria boss Rubi as to his starters for the league opener but we anticipate this XI from the Catalan coach: Fernando; Pozo, Ely, Babic, Centelles; De la Hoz; Ramazani, Robertone, Samu, Portillo; Sadiq.

Real Madrid XI

Aurélien Tchouaméni starts for Real Madrid with the man signed from Monaco during the close season getting a start. No Modric, Casemiro for Ancelotti's side as Rudiger too starts in his league debut for Los Blancos.

Almeria expects

It's a big night in Almeria with the Andalusian side back in the top flight for the first time since 2015. What a way to herald the clubs return to the elite with a visit from current European champions in Real Madrid. 

Almeria fans will be hoping for a repeat of the corresponding fixture in 2008 where the rojiblancos ran out 2-0 winners. Recent contests between both sides have been few and far between but it's fair to say, the side from the capital generally have the upper hand.

Both sides start the 2022-23 season with very different objectives, for UD Almeria, it's all about consolidation after securing promotion from LaLiga Smartbank last season and for Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti will be anxious to start the campaign with a win as 'Los Blancos' begin a trio of games away from the Santiago Bernabeu which is still undergoing renovation. 

The action in the Andalusian city gets underway at 2100 (local time) / 4pm ET with the game taking place at the Power Horse Stadium (former Mediterranean Games Stadium).

Hello and welcome to our live coverage as newly promoted Almeria face current league champions Real Madrid.