Gareth Bale on target as Real Madrid start league campaign with Getafe win
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Updated 19/08/2018 at 22:34 GMT
La Liga, Bernabeu - Real Madrid 2 (Carvajal 20', Bale 51') Getafe 0
Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale celebrates after scoring a goal during the Spanish League football match between Real Madrid and Getafe at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on August 19, 2018.
Image credit: Getty Images
Gareth Bale stepped into the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo as he found the net in Real Madrid’s 2-0 win over Getafe in their 2018/19 La Liga season opener.
Julen Lopetegui picked a strong side for his first league match as Real manager, with the only surprise coming in the selection of Dani Ceballos. It was clear from early on, though, that Getafe wouldn't pose much of a threat, with Dani Carvajal opening the scoring after 20 minutes.
From then on, Real Madrid coasted to three points. Bale was impressive throughout and capped his performance with a goal in the second half, squeezing home a finish at the near post after some good work from Marco Asensio down the left wing.
Asensio himself struck the woodwork and probably should have been awarded a penalty kick for a foul with 15 minutes left to play, but Real Madrid had already sewn up the win by that point. Life after Zinedine Zidane and Cristiano Ronaldo might not be so bad after all.
TALKING POINT
Gareth Bale is now well and truly the main man at Real Madrid. This is Bale’s sixth season as a Real Madrid player, but something is different about this one. For the first time, the Welshman is the main man at the Santiago Bernabeu. Ronaldo is gone and it was clear to see in his performance in this win over Getafe that Bale feels he has more freedom without the Portuguese forward alongside him. Barring any injuries, Bale is set for a big season at Real Madrid. He surely feels vindicated in his decision to stay at the club.
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Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale (2ndL) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the Spanish League football match between Real Madrid and Getafe at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on August 19, 2018.
Image credit: Getty Images
MAN OF THE MATCH
Marcelo (Real Madrid) He doesn’t always get the credit that he deserves, but this was a demonstration of why Marcelo is so important to Real Madrid. Carvajal and Bale might have scored the goals, but it was the Brazilian left back who caught the eye most as the capital side started their league campaign with three points. Without Marcelo, Real Madrid would lack their most important outlet down the left side. His crossing gives them such threat.
PLAYER RATINGS
Real Madrid - Navas 5, Carvajal 7, Ramos 6, Nacho 5, Marcelo 8, Kroos 6, Ceballos 5, Asensio 7, Isco 7, Bale 8, Benzema 5. Subs - Modric 6, Casemiro 6, Vazquez 5.
Getafe - Soria 6, Damian 6, Djene 6, Bruno 5, Cabrera 5, Arambarri 5, Maksimovic 5, Portillo 5, Gaku 5, Amath 5, Molina 5. Subs - Alejo 7, Angel 5, Mata 5.
KEY MOMENTS
16’ OFF THE CROSSBAR! What an effort from Bale. Inches away from being the opener for Real Madrid! Bale gets on the end of Marcelo's cross and smashes a diving header off the woodwork!
20’ GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Getafe: Carvajal scores the first La Liga goal of the Lopetegui era! Bale's cross is flapped at by Soria under pressure from Benzema and the right back loops a header over the goalkeeper and into the far corner of the net. Great finish.
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Real Madrid's Spanish defender Dani Carvajal celebrates after scoring a goal during the Spanish League football match between Real Madrid and Getafe at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on August 19, 2018
Image credit: Getty Images
34’ PENALTY KICK TO REAL MADRID! The referee points to the spot following a push on Ramos inside the box.
35’ VAR STRIKES! Real Madrid were initially awarded a penalty kick for a push on Ramos, but then VAR is used to overrule the decision made by the referee. That was a strange one.
45’ RAMOS GOAL CHALKED OFF! The Real Madrid captain smashes the ball into the back of the net from eight yards out, but the whistle had already gone for a foul in the area.
51’ GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Getafe: It's a second goal for Real Madrid and a first goal of the Liga season for Bale! Djene gives the ball away cheaply, allowing Asensio to square for Bale, who manages to squeeze in a finish off the inside of the post. Two goals to the good.
55’ SMASHED OFF THE POST! That could have been a third for Real Madrid. A loose ball fell to Asensio about 20 yards out, but his strike comes off the post with Soria beaten all ends up.
76’ BIG PENALTY CLAIM! Asensio believes that he should have had a spot kick for a push in the back from Suarez, but the referee waves away his claim. That looked like a good shout for a penalty.
KEY STATS
Gareth Bale has scored with eight of his last 11 shots on target in all competitions.
Real Madrid have not lost at home on the opening matchday of a La Liga season since 1984 (0-3 against Barcelona), remaining unbeaten in their 15 home games since then.
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