Gareth Bale's Real Madrid debut - in pictures

The world's most expensive footballer warms up with some less expensive players Photograph: Alberto Saiz/AP

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti looks nervous ahead his £85million man's debut. Will the Welsh winger prove to be a hit or a miss? Photograph: Alberto Saiz/AP

Bale lines up with his new team-mates for the first time proper Photograph: Denis Doyle/Getty Images

Bale proves he's as adept with his head as with his feet Photograph: Denis Doyle/Getty Images

Ronaldo proves he's rather handy too as he evades the challenge of Villarreal's Bruno Soriano Photograph: Jose Jordan/AFP/Getty Images

It seems like Villarreal haven't read the script, as midway through the first half they have the temerity to take the lead! Ruben Gracia 'Cani', seen here buried underneath his team-mates, blasted home from 12 yards out when the ball broke to him Photograph: Alberto Saiz/AP

Is shaking his head in disgust the only thing the world's most expensive footballer can do? Photograph: Jose Jordan/AFP/Getty Images

Erm no, he can equalise, that's what he can do! Seven minutes before the break, Luca Modric slips Daniel Carvajal clear down the right. He reaches the byline, and fires a low ball into the centre, where Bale slides in to poke home Photograph: Jose Jordan/AFP/Getty Images

There it is, his trademark (and trademarked) heart celebration Photograph: Juan Carlos Cardenas/EPA

Cristiano Ronaldo has his scary face on as the world's most expensive forward line celebrate Bale opening his Real Madrid account Photograph: Denis Doyle/Getty Images

The fleet-footed Bale continues to torment his Villarreal opponents until the 62nd minute, when the electronic board is held up to show the number 11, so off trots £85m worth of talent to a big round of applause, to be replaced by Angel Di Maria Photograph: Jose Breton/Cordon Press/Corbis

Just one minute later, the other half of the world's most expensive forward line shows what he can do. Ronaldo nets a close-range shot via a deflection off Musacchio. That's his 203rd goal in 203 appearances for Real Madrid Photograph: Jose Jordan/AFP/Getty Images

Villarreal in not reading the script shocker – part II. Giovani Dos Santos, third right, celebrates scoring. The home side are deservedly level again Photograph: Alberto Saiz/AP

In the closing stages of the game, both teams huff and puff, as this tussle between Bruno and Illarramendi exemplifies, but neither can find a winner. Both teams lose their 100% records, but everyone will be happy enough with the result in their own way, especially a certain Welshman who found the net on his debut to start paying back some of his astronomical transfer fee. Final score: Villarreal 2-2 Real Madrid Photograph: Domenech Castello/EPA