Atletico Madrid began the post-Sergio Aguero era with a 2-1 victory over Stromsgodset at the Vicente Calderon in the first leg of their Europa League third qualifying round tie on Thursday evening.
Jose Antonio Reyes netted both the goals in the second half for the Rojiblancos as they took to the field just hours after star striker Aguero had completed his transfer to Manchester City.
It was not all plain sailing for the 2010 Europa League champions, though. They had Miranda sent off 14 minutes from time and, four minutes later, Oyvind Storflor gave the Norwegian visitors hope for next week's second leg by halving the deficit.
Dutch team ADO Den Haag have it all to do to reach the play-off round after suffering a 3-0 defeat to Omonia Nicosia in Cyprus.
Alex opened the scoring from the penalty spot eight minutes before the interval and second-half goals from Hernan Rengifo and Dimitris Christofi sealed a great night for Omonia.
ADO's Eredivisie rivals AZ Alkmaar enjoyed a more successful evening, beating Czech opponents Jablonec 2-0 at the AFAS Stadion thanks to second-half goals from Pontus Wernbloom and substitute Johann Gudmundsson.
Serie A side Palermo had to twice come from behind to earn a 2-2 draw against FC Thun at the Stadio Renzo Barbera.
Josip Ilicic's 13th-minute strike cancelled out Benjamin Luthi's early effort and then, after Marc Schneider had put the Swiss visitors ahead for a second time, substitute Fabrizio Miccoli grabbed another equaliser in stoppage time.
German outfit Mainz were also held to a surprise 1-1 draw by Gaz Metan at the Bruchwegstadion, Taher Bawab scoring what could prove a valuable away goal to get the visitors back on level terms after Niko Bungert's opener.
Rennes took control of their tie against Olimpi Rustavi by winning 5-2 in Georgia, despite Razak Boukari missing a first-half penalty after the hosts had Giorgi Murvelashvili sent off.
Boukari and Jonathan Pitroipa each bagged a brace to put the French team in a commanding position ahead of next week's second leg.
In selected other games, Leony Kweuke's hat-trick lifted Sparta Prague to a 5-0 home victory over FK Sarajevo, and Red Star Belgrade triumphed 2-1 at Ventspils thanks to a stoppage-time winner from substitute Bruno Mezenga.
