Gareth Bale makes history in enthralling Real Madrid win over Sevilla

Updated 20/03/2016 at 23:49 GMT

La Liga, Santiago Bernabeu - Real Madrid 4 (Benzema 6', Ronaldo 64', Bale 66', Jese 85') Sevilla 0

Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale (R), Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema (L) and Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (C) celebrate scoring during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF vs Sevilla FC at the Santiago

Image credit: AFP

Gareth Bale became the top British goalscorer in La Liga history, finding the net in Real Madrid’s 4-0 win over Sevilla.

The Welsh winger added his name to the scoresheet with a simple finish after good work by Karim Benzema. Cristiano Ronaldo also found the net in the win, but not before he fired a penalty kick over the bar.

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Benzema opened the scoring in the first half with a wonderful finish on the half-volley, with the French striker making an impression on his return from injury. Real Madrid have missed his contribution.

Jese Rodriguez also found the net, finishing with just five minutes left to play. But it was Bale and Benzema who stole the show at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Zinedine Zidane’s side enjoying an enthralling evening in front of their own fans.

The result does little to change the fact that Real Madrid are still unlikely to mount a title challenge, with 10 points separating them from Barcelona at the top of the table, but the performance put down a marker for the rest of the season.

Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF vs Sevilla FC at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on March 20, 2016

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TALKING POINT - Was this the clearest vision of Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid so far?

Until tonight it was rather unclear what personality Zidane’s Real Madrid side would take on over time. But against Sevilla Los Blancos were at their exhilarating best, moving the ball quickly from back to front and making the most of their natural assets. Was this the first real sign of Zidane’s Real Madrid?

MAN OF THE MATCH - Karim Benzema

Real Madrid have missed their number nine. Benzema returned to action having missed four games though injury and he was back in top form, opening the scoring with a crisp half-volley strike. With the Frenchman involved Real Madrid are a much more complete side. With Benzema back in the team they had the look of a team once again.

Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale (R) and Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema (L) celebrate a scoring during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF vs Sevilla FC at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on March 20, 2016

Image credit: AFP

PLAYER RATINGS

Real Madrid - Navas 8, Danilo 7, Varane 6, Nacho 6, Marcelo 7, Casemiro 8, Modric 7, Kroos 7, Bale 9, Ronaldo 7, Benzema 9. Subs - Isco 5, Jese 6, James 5.

Sevilla - Rico 8, Coke 7, Rami 5, Kolo 6, Tremoulinas 6, Krychowiak 7, Cristoforo 6, Diogo 5, Iborra 6, Escudero 7, Gameiro 7. Subs - Mariano 6, Reyes 5, Munoz 5.

KEY MOMENTS

5’ NAVAS GETS AWAY WITH ONE! Tremoulinas' cross from the left side shouldn't have given him much of an issue, but he allowed it to strike the crossbar! That was quite bizarre.

6’ GOAL! Real Madrid 1 Sevilla 0: What an astonishing goal! Bale's cross finds Benzema, who smashes home a finish on the half-volley! There was so much power in that. Rico didn't stand a chance.

11’ GAMEIRO COULDN'T GET IT ON TARGET! The Sevilla striker took the ball down on his chest and fired an effort towards goal, but he couldn't get over the shot and it flies over.

16’ TIPPED ON TO THE POST! Bale takes the snapshot from the edge of the penalty area, but Rico gets down to make the fingertip save on to the woodwork. That was going in, no doubt!

20’ RICO NEEDS TO MAKE THE SAVE FROM RONALDO! The Real Madrid number seven took the shot from the edge of the box, but the Sevilla keeper tipped it round the post.

24’ RONALDO HAS ANOTHER SHOT SAVED! The Portuguese winger fired in an effort with power towards goal, but Rico was on hand to make the solid diving save. Good goalkeeping.

28’ PENALTY KICK TO SEVILLA! The referee spots some rugby tackling in the box from a set piece, penalising Varane for a push on Rami.

29’ WHAT A SAVE FROM THE PENALTY KICK! That was a good spot kick effort from Gameiro, but Navas got down so well to make the stop from the Sevilla striker. Excellent.

Real Madrid's Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas (L) celebrates with Real Madrid's Portuguese defender Pepe after stoping a penalty during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF vs Sevilla FC at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on March

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38’ IBORRA GOT HIS HEAD TO THAT CROSS! The Sevilla midfielder ghosted into the penalty area and sent a glancing header towards goal, but it flashes past the far post. Close.

41’ RICO COMES OUT TO DENY BALE! Benzema found the run of the Welsh winger in behind the Sevilla defence, but the keeper was quick off his line to make the intervention.

42’ APPEALS FOR A REAL MADRID PENALTY! Benzema looked to have his shirt pulled by Krychowiak inside the box but the referee isn't interested and shakes his head. Benzema argues.

44’ NOW RICO MAKES A SAVE FROM MARCELO! The Sevilla goalkeeper has been a busy man in this first half and now he gets behind an effort from Marcelo, who was up from the back.

50’ THE FLICK DIDN'T COME OFF FOR BENZEMA! Bale gets to the byline and squares the pass to Benzema at the near post, but his backheel flick doesn't quite work. Unlucky.

51’ IBORRA COULDN'T GET THE TOUCH! Casemiro loses the ball inside the penalty area, with the cross played right across the face of goal. But nobody can turn it home at the back post.

57’ PENALTY KICK TO REAL MADRID! That's an easy decision for the referee as Modric is blatantly brought down in the penalty box by Reyes.

59’ RONALDO BLASTS HIS PENALTY OVER THE BAR! The Real Madrid number seven steps up to the 12 yard mark and he puts his effort over the bar. Rico didn't even have to make a save.

Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo vies with Sevilla's goalkeeper Sergio Rico Gonzalez (L) during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF vs Sevilla FC at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on March 20, 2016

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60’ BALE POWERED THAT ONE TOWARDS GOAL! The Welsh winger surges towards goal and fires off an effort from the edge of the box, but it flashes just over the crossbar.

62’ OFF THE WOODWORK! Bale leaped higher than anyone else inside the penalty area from a corner kick, but he could only find the crossbar with his header. What a jump that was!

63’ SEVILLA HAVE THE BALL IN THE NET BUT IT'S BEEN RULED OUT! Gameiro finishes after a pass in behind the Real Madrid backline, but it's incorrectly ruled out for offside.

65’ GOAL! Real Madrid 2 Sevilla 0: The home side have finally doubled their advantage! Ronaldo is on hand at the back post to finish from close range, with Rico missing. That should do it for Real.

67’ GOAL! Real Madrid 3 Sevilla 0: The floodgates might have now opened for the home side! Benzema chips the ball over Rico and Bale has the simple task of finishing into the empty net.

84’ WHAT AN OUTSTANDING SAVE FROM NAVAS! Gameiro's shot looked to be heading goalwards, but the Costa Rican makes the astonishing save and jumps on the rebound as well.

85’ GOAL! Real Madrid 4 Sevilla 0: Was that offside? Jese looked to be offside when the ball was played through, but he finishes with aplomb past Rico. Good finish from the forward.

Real Madrid's forward Jese Rodriguez celebrates after scoring during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF vs Sevilla FC at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on March 20, 2016.

Image credit: AFP