Sevilla and Real Madrid win at Racing Santander

Sevilla (Spain), Aug 27: Sevilla's Antonio Puerta is in 'very serious condition' after losing consciousness during their 4-1 victory against Getafe on Saturday as champions Real Madrid made a winning start against city rivals Atletico. On Sunday Barcelona and their four star forwards, Henry, Messi, Etoo and Ronaldinho, who have become known as "the fantastic four" could only manage a draw at Racing Santander. Sevilla, who beat Real 5-3 in the Super Cup last week, continued their sparkling start to the season with a 4-1 comeback win over Getafe. Michael Laudrup's Getafe went in front in the second minute thanks to a free kick from Pablo Hernandez but fell apart when midfielder Francisco Sousa and defender David Cortes were sent off in separate incidents before halftime. Sevilla took full advantage in the second period with goals from Jesus Navas, Luis Fabiano, Frederic Kanoute and Alexander Kerzhakov, three coming from crosses by Portuguese winger Duda. The prognosis for Sevilla player Antonio Puerta is "very serious" according to doctors following his collapse and loss of consciousness during the game. "He is in the intensive care unit where he has been given assisted ventilation and is experiencing hemodynamic instability. The prognosis is very serious," said a medical report issued by the Virgen del Rocio hospital in Seville. The 22-year-old Spanish international wingback crouched down and then fell to the ground after jogging back towards his own goal 35 minutes into the game at the Sanchez Pizjuan on Saturday night. Team mates and medical staff immediately rushed to his side and were seen preventing him from swallowing his tongue as he lost consciousness, but he was able to walk from the pitch. Doctors said that he collapsed again in the changing rooms and had to be given cardiac resuscitation before being taken to hospital. "Fortunately the club doctors and the machines managed to resuscitate him but we experienced some terrible moments because the life of the player was in danger," Sevilla president Jose Maria del Nido was quoted as saying on the club's Web site (www.sevillafc.es). Real Madrid got their title defence off to a winning start when a deflected shot by new signing Wesley Sneijder earned a 2-1 comeback victory over city rivals Atletico at the Bernabeu on Saturday. Atletico made a flying start, Argentine youngster Sergio Aguero putting the visitors ahead inside a minute when he stole in at the far post to nod in a Mariano Pernia corner. Real's captain Raul equalised when he steered a neat header past Atletico goalkeeper Leo Franco after Sergio Ramos floated in a cross from the right. There was no let-up in the pace in a breathless opening half hour and it was Real who carried more threat up front, Ramos heading against the post on the half hour. Atletico made a bright start to the second period but faded as Real grew in confidence. With 10 minutes to go, Guti rolled a free kick into the path of Sjneider and the Dutchman's miscued shot spun off a defender and ended up in the back of the net to seal the threee points for the champions. On Sunday (August 27) Barcelona, who were runners-up last season, had a disappointing debut, giving a lethargic display in a 0-0 draw against Racing Santander on Sunday. The Catalans, who spent over 65 million euros (USD 88 million) on new players including France striker Thierry Henry during the close season, were outplayed by their modest opponents who are one of the lowest spenders in the Primera Liga and were reduced to 10 men. Henry had the best chance of the game for Barcelona, having come on a a second half substitute for Lionel Messi of Argentina, Henry struck the post from the edge of the area. Bureau Report