With the help of a VAR-awarded goal, Espanyol beat Valencia 2-0 Sunday for its first win in the Spanish league this season.

Esteban Granero's 62nd-minute free kick struck the crossbar and ricocheted to the ground, barely crossing the line before bouncing away as play continued. The referee didn't initially award the goal but the call was reversed after the video assistant referee was used, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead.

New to La Liga this season, VAR had already come into play in the first half when Valencia called for a handball inside the Espanyol area, but the referee's initial interpretation prevailed and no penalty was awarded.

Borja Iglesias, signed from second-division club Zaragoza, sealed Espanyol's victory with a shot from inside the area in the 68th.

Espanyol opened with a 1-1 draw at Celta Vigo while Valencia, which finished an impressive fourth last season, had started its campaign with a 1-1 home draw against Atletico Madrid.

Defending champion Barcelona won 1-0 at Valladolid on Saturday for its second consecutive victory, while Atletico Madrid defeated Rayo Vallecano by the same score in its home opener.

Real Madrid plays at Girona later Sunday.