Up and running: Gareth Bale required just 38 minutes to open his Real Madrid account in the 2-2 draw at Villarreal on Saturday night – and he celebrated in trademark fashion. Photo: AP
Gareth Bale’s debut goal for Real Madrid was front page news on Sunday morning, as coach Carlo Ancelotti declared he was ‘happy’ with the £86million man’s contribution.
The world record signing scored on 38 minutes, stabbing the ball home from the edge of the six-yard box past Villarreal goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo after Dani Carvajal crossed.
His goal levelled the scores at 1-1 after Ruben Cani had given the Yellow Submarine the lead at El Madrigal.
Bale was withdrawn for Angel Di Maria after an hour, allowing Cristiano Ronaldo, formerly the world’s most expensive player, to take centre stage.
He fortuitously put the visitors in front in the 64th minute, before another former Tottenham wideman, Giovani dos Santos, earned Villarreal a draw with 20 minutes to play.
The front pages of the sports newspapers were dominated by pictures of Bale celebrating, with Marca writing that Bale was one of the few positives for Real as ‘the submarines found many weaknesses in the white aircraft carrier.’
AS, too, said that Real had looked ‘confused’ in defence and that Bale’s first performance had been a rare plus point. – Mail Online
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