The opening day of the fifth edition of the LaLiga Promises Santander International Tournament served up no shortage of sensational strikes and fantastic football as well as a host of eye-catching performances. Real Betis, Atletico Madrid, Valencia CF and RCD Espanyol were amongst the sides that showcased their considerable quality as the competition got up and running.
Group A
This pool is proving to be one of the tournament's most fiercely contested. Valencia opened their campaign with a 3-0 win over Hoboken City FC, who were then on the receiving end of a 5-0 mauling at the hands of Guadalajara. Meanwhile, FC Barcelona eked out a 1-0 victory over the Mexicans. The Catalan outfit and Valencia got the evening action under way under the New York lights as they treated those in the stands to a pulsating 2-2 stalemate.
Group B
Things are very much nip and tuck between the Group B quartet. The first day finished with Atleti and New York City FC sitting top and level on four points, whilst Villarreal CF are within striking distance of the group leaders with two points to their name. The opening four games yielded a win apiece for New York (2-1 v SL Benfica) and Atletico (5-1 v Benfica), whilst both of Villarreal's encounters ended honours even (2-2 v Atlético and 1-1 v New York).
Group C
The tournament curtain-raiser saw Betis ease to a 2-0 success over Club America and the Sevillians then built on that result with a 3-1 win over a Liverpool FC side who had earlier played out a 2-2 draw with America. The Mexican side then waved goodbye to their chances of progressing after slipping to a narrow 1-0 reverse against Real Madrid. In the final group contest, Los Blancos toppled Betis in another 1-0 triumph.
Group D
Inter Milan and Espanyol established themselves as the clear frontrunners in this pool. The two teams emerged victorious in both of their games and will face off in a top-of-the-group clash on Saturday. Los Pericos registered a 2-0 win over Sevilla FC, before going one better as they put three past Guangzhou R&F without reply. Elsewhere, the Milan-based side romped to a 5-0 win over the Chinese representatives, before running out 1-0 winners over Sevilla.
The last of the group-stage games will be contested on Saturday afternoon (CET), before the quarter-final matches take centre stage from 17:30. On Sunday, attentions turn to the semis, the third-place play-off and the showpiece showdown of this most prestigious of youth tournaments.
Source: laligaes.es