IN SPORT.ES
Gareth Bale was given reprieve by Zinedine Zidane for Real Madrid’s first game of the season and the Welshman took advantage, setting up Karim Benzema for the opening goal as Madrid beat Celta 3-1.
Toni Kroos lashed in the second with a spectacular drive, while Lucas Vazquez notched the third. Both those goals came after Luka Modric was given a red card for catching Denis Suarez on the Achilles.
Iker Losada netted a late consolation for Celta but they will be disappointed that they couldn’t hassle Madrid more when they were down to 10.
Benzema opened the scoring after Bale’s dribble and cross from the left, but Madrid were far from their best in the opening 45.
RELATED STORIES
However Zidane’s side improved in the second half, which they reached ahead after Brais Mendez’s strike at the end of the first half was scrapped by VAR, correctly, for a marginal offside.