Osasuna came from a goal down to snatch a deserved point in a bad-tempered game against Villarreal on Sunday evening which saw both sides finish with 10 men.
Following an evenly-disputed first 45 minutes, Marcos Senna put Villarreal - last season's runners-up - ahead with a stunning free-kick nine minutes after the break.
But Iran midfielder Javad Nekounam brought the home side level 15 minutes later from the penalty spot after his compatriot Masoud Shojaei had been fouled by Diego Godin.
Godin was shown a straight red card for the foul, but Osasuna were also reduced to 10 men eight minutes later when Miguel Flano was dismissed for an ugly challenge on Javi Venta.
The hosts began with intensity and could have taken an early lead after just two minutes when Kike Sola fired narrowly wide from the edge of the area.
Shortly after, Mexico striker Guille Franco was off target at the other end as Villarreal threatened.
The game was proving an entertaining affair with both sides looking to attack early on but chances were few and far between as the match progressed.
Czech Republic midfielder Jaroslav Plasil came close to breaking the deadlock after 21 minutes when his shot from the edge of the penalty area was deflected off team-mate Santi Ezquerro and sailed just wide.
Villarreal then had their best chance of the half two minutes later when Gonzalo Rodriguez got forward to fire a close-range shot towards goal following a rebound, but saw his effort cleared off the line by Osasuna defender Roversio.
The rest of the half saw little in the way of goalscoring opportunities but the match sparked into life soon after the restart, when Senna blasted a brilliant free-kick past Ricardo to give the visitors the lead.
The Brazil-born midfielder was instrumental in Spain's Euro 2008 success earlier this summer and picked up where he had left off with a telling contribution.
But it was not enough to inspire Villarreal to victory as Osasuna fought back to secure a precious point.
Hector Font headed just over from Ezquerro's cross after 65 minutes, but the home side found themselves level soon afterwards.
Godin fouled Masoud and Nekounam stepped up to fire the resulting penalty past Diego Lopez.
Godin was sent off for the foul and he was followed off the pitch by Flano eight minutes later when the Osasuna defender hacked down Venta.
With both sides reduced to 10 men, the game fizzled out as neither appeared willing to risk too much in the closing stages.
But Villarreal could have snatched it at the death when Senna blasted a stinging drive just over the crossbar.
In the end, a draw was probably a fair result and the two sides will have been happy to avoid an opening-day defeat in what was a tricky fixture for both.
