AP, barcelona :
Valencia striker Paco Alcacer celebrated his first call-up for Spain by scoring the opening goal in a 3-0 win over 10-man Malaga in the Spanish league on Friday.
The victory, sealed by further goals from Dani Parejo and Pablo Piatti, gave new coach Nuno Espirito Santo a winning debut at Mestalla Stadium after Valencia drew 1-1 at Sevilla in the first round of matches.
Malaga threatened through forwards Roque Santa Cruz and Juanmi Jimenez until midfielder Sergi Darder saw a straight red for a studs-first tackle on Parejo in the 27th.
Alcacer was included in Vicente del Bosque’s squad for Spain’s upcoming friendly against France and the first qualifier for the 2016 European Championship against Macedonia.
He then swung the game in Valencia’s favor in the 31st when he used a nice touch to flick Jose Gaya’s dipping cross past goalkeeper Carlos Kameni.
Weligton added to Malaga’s troubles by stopping a pass with his arm in the area. That gave Parejo a penalty kick which Kameni did well to block – only for the midfielder to score from the rebound in the 45th.
Alcacer added an assist to his strong showing by setting up Piatti, who stabbed the ball inside the upright to finish off a flowing move and seal the win in the 56th.
Alcacer, who was set to turn 21 on Saturday, said he had not expected his international call-up.
“I was changing clothes to get ready to train with Valencia and my family called me,” said Alcacer. “It’s a great cause for joy for both me and my family. I am like a child enjoying this day to the utmost.”
Earlier, a first-half goal by Alvaro Vazquez gave Getafe a 1-0 victory over Almeria in its first home match this season.
Vazquez, who was loaned to Swansea last season, arrived between two defenders to chest Freddy Hinestroza’s deflected cross beyond goalkeeper Vicente Guaita following a counterattack in the 29th.
Almeria sporadic attack came through forward Jonathan Zongo, who almost set up Edgar Mendez in the 32nd before Guaita palmed away his goal-bound strike in the 44th.
Almeria remained winless after two rounds.
Atletico Madrid hosts Eibar on Saturday, while Barcelona visits Villarreal on Sunday before Real Madrid is at Real Sociedad.
