Gareth Bale helped Real Madrid on their way to three points as Zinedine Zidane’s side survived a Luka Modric red card to beat Celta Vigo 3-1 in their LaLiga opener at Balaidos on Saturday.
After injury ruled out Eden Hazard on Friday, Zidane decided to start Bale and the Welsh winger set up the first goal for Karim Benzema with a fine run and cross for the Frenchman to poke home after 12 minutes.
Madrid were somewhat shaky after that, looking vulnerable in defence, and Celta thought they had levelled through Brais Mendez just before half-time, only to see the effort ruled out by VAR for an offside against Iago Aspas.
Zidane’s side were then reduced to 10 men as VAR intervened again in the second half to show Modric a red card for a foul on Denis Suarez which had initially been penalised with only a free-kick.
It seemed excessive punishment, but did not matter much in the end because Toni Kroos hit a rocket from about 30 yards out to double the visitors’ lead after 61 minutes, with the ball beating Ruben Blanco and going in off the underside of the crossbar.
Substitute Lucas Vazquez then made it 3-0 with 10 minutes left as he finished off a fantastic flowing move featuring Isco, Marcelo and Benzema, who found the winger in space at the far post.
Celta bagged a consolation in added time through 18-year-old Iker Losada and Aspas almost added another before the final whistle as Madrid secured a 3-1 win to take advantage of Barcelona’s 1-0 loss away to Athletic Club on Friday.
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