Gareth Bale had a role to play in Real Madrid’s season opening La Liga game as the visitors coasted to a 3-1 win over Celta Vigo despite being a man down for 35 minutes.
It took Real Madrid just 12 minutes to get on to the scoresheet, with Karim Benzema opening the scoring after some fine work by Gareth Bale. Bale continued to pose a big threat for the visitors, who dominated the first half, but needed VAR to hold on to their slender lead heading into half-time.
It was not the brightest of starts post the break for Los Blancos, who saw Luka Modric being sent off for a dangerous tackle on Denis Suarez. But, Real Madrid did not seem to be affected by the numerical disadvantage one bit, with Toni Kroos doubling their advantage with a 25-yard piledriver just past the hour mark.
The game was then put to rest with 10 minutes left in regulation time as Real Madrid players danced their way around the Celta Vigo defence, before Lucas Vazquez produced a fine finish. But, Celta Vigo did not go down without a fight, with debutant Iker Losada finding the back of the net in injury time. Real Madrid fans though, sang the praises of Bale after his influential outing.
Eden Hazard won’t achieve half of what Bale has at Madrid.
— TR (@TacticalRole) August 17, 2019
BALE All OVER !!!!!!!!#Bale #RealMadrid pic.twitter.com/jR0pEzLMX5
— Saad Shafique سعد شفیق (@saadshafique02) August 17, 2019
Gareth Bale?
All is forgiven as he sets up Karim Benzema for Real Madrid’s first goal of the season. https://t.co/W3vnDupErD
— LaLiga Burro (@LaLigaBurro) August 17, 2019
zidane after gareth bale is involved in a real madrid goal pic.twitter.com/H6b6NCuP8y
— booty man (@apoembyafrica) August 17, 2019
Bale is one of the most skillful player and at the same very Underrated too. Zidane was not even half as good as him. #LaLiga pic.twitter.com/4PjmFghREE
— Muhammad Osama (@MOY707) August 17, 2019
Gareth Bale Motm by far in that first half, come outside haters I just want to talk….. pic.twitter.com/260xSnj6wX
— M (@RuthlessRamos_) August 17, 2019
Bale covered quite a lot considering. pic.twitter.com/IUDUd99TOB
— M•A•J (@Ultra_Suristic) August 17, 2019
Gareth Bale has either scored a goal or made an assist in Real Madrid’s all three La Liga openers under Zidane’s reign.
16/17 Goal against Real Sociedad
17/18 Goal against Deportivo
19/20 Assist against Celta
Talisman.#CeltaRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/OVtafChMsf
— TREQUARTISTA (@TheSporTalk) August 17, 2019
Luka Modric’s dismissal created a lot of furore, with Real Madrid fans unhappy with the decision to show him red card for his foul on Denis Suarez.
Ridiculous decision. No foul play nor violent conduct. Just a late tackle without any ill intent. pic.twitter.com/IUHLVcqgMW
— M•A•J (@Ultra_Suristic) August 17, 2019
Does Luka Modric really deserve this red card?pic.twitter.com/le1zMrX7QF
— O D O G W U??⭕️ (@TweetAtAustin) August 17, 2019
Modric Red Card..
REF: pic.twitter.com/S4gYBTds2i
— U_123 (@cr7thegoat12) August 17, 2019
Finally, Toni Kroos and Karim Benzema were lauded for playing their part in the comfortable win for Real Madrid.
Kroos MOTM for me. Insane performance by him.
— Andres (@MiIitao) August 17, 2019
World-class assist from Benzema. Anyone else does it and they’ll be writing threads on this piece. https://t.co/QuJm7ipPVc
— M•A•J (@Ultra_Suristic) August 17, 2019
Benzema with a filthy assist.
Goal & assist today for the Frenchman. This man is just such a boss. What a career. Higuaín? Morata? Jović? Sit down, kids.
King Karim is a legend.
— Alex Goldberg (@AlexGoldberg_) August 17, 2019
Toni Kroos’ stats vs Celta Vigo:
9.2 rating
1 goal
4 chances created
0 dispossessions
8/8 dribbles
100% long balls completed
100% of tackles succeeded.
96% pass accuracy
Maestro ?
Never compare him to the fraud Frenkie de Jong pic.twitter.com/CsE4WR8kZk— – (@Cruisified) August 17, 2019
