Takefusa Kubo scored Real Sociedad's first goal of the Spanish La Liga season on Saturday, netting early in their 1-1 draw against visiting Girona.
Looking to improve on a fourth-place finish last season, the hosts made a bright start to their campaign in front of 30,848 at Reale Arena when Kubo fired them into the lead in the fifth minute.
The 22-year-old Japan attacker gave Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga no chance with a first-time shot after Aihen Munoz's cross found him unmarked in the middle of the area.
La Real were denied an opening win at home after Ukraine international Artem Dovbyk headed the equalizer at the back post in the 72nd minute.
"It feels disappointing to end up with a draw," said Kubo, who was substituted in the 74th minute.
Kubo, whose nine league goals last season were the most by a Japanese player in the Spanish top flight, said he wanted to make a bigger impact on the scoresheet.
"It will be good if I can surpass that while contributing to strong play by the team," he said. "I want to score in double digits."
Fellow Japan attacker Kaoru Mitoma also made a strong start to the season for Brighton in the English Premier League, contributing to a 4-1 win over promoted Luton Town.
The 26-year-old winger assisted on Brighton's 36th-minute opener with a lofted ball that was headed in by Solly March.
Mitoma was also instrumental in his team's second, beating his man down the left and playing a through ball to Joao Pedro, who was brought down in the area and converted the subsequent penalty in the 71st minute.
Japan winger Junya Ito opened his account in the opening round of the French Ligue 1 season with a 10th-minute goal for Stade de Reims in their 2-1 loss to Marseille.
