Gareth Bale scored his debut goal 38 minutes into the game, the player was so excited he forgot to do his trademark celebration as his teammates came to celebrate with him.
Real Madrid had a different look last night with two debutants and a fourth choice left-back and they struggled for a better part of the match.
They conceded on the 20th minute to a goal from Cani, Bale was able to get Madrid back into the game thanks to a sublime cross from DaniCarvajal that drifted past Sergio Asenjo and he was there to finish.
From his first touch inside to Isco, he displayed signs of confidence as he attacked from the right-side of Madrid’s attack.
Madrid struggled defensively with Marcelo and Coentrao picking up injuries during international week and Varane still on his way back from a knee injury. And Villareal took advantage with Nacho on the side in the first half.
Time and again Villareal carved Madrid open down the flank being defended by Nacho. They finally found a way through when debutant Assierillaramendi failed to prevent Bruno from threading a ball through to Jonathan Pereira.
Both Pepe and Ramos lunged in but neither could prevent Cani from thrashing the ball past Diego Lopez.
Bale was switched to the left side to cover Nacho, Madrid were in disarray with Ramos and Pepe screaming for cover and Ronaldo screaming for the ball to be played to him sooner. When Ramos delivered one such early ball Ronaldo headed it over.
Ramos then sent an Isco corner over as Madrid tried to find an equaliser and Bale was the one to deliver.
Bale started well in the second half with a potent shot on 48 minutes that just cleared Asenjo’s bar as at the other end Madrid continued to struggle with Nacho lucky to escape not conceding a penalty after appearing to handle the ball in the area.
Despite having a good game, Madrid Boss Carlo Ancelotti decided to remove bale on the hour and brought in Angel Di Maria. Four minutes later, Benzema’s cross was palmed away by Asenjo, straight to the path of Ronaldo who scored.
The lead lasted until the 69th minute when Giovani Dos Santos became the second former Tottenham player to score on the night. But the evening belonged to Bale. He had matched Beckham’s feat in 2003 of scoring on his first league start against Betis. And for now at least he is matching Ronaldo’s scoring ratio.
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