Bale and Benzema lead Madrid to LaLiga win

MADRID (AP): ZINEDINE ZIDANE’S revamped Real Madrid got the spark they needed from a couple of veterans to get off to a winning start in the Spanish league.

In the absence of injured new signing Eden Hazard, it was Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale who contributed with goals and assists as Madrid opened their campaign with a comfortable 3-1 win at Celta Vigo yesterday.

Bale, who many thought would be gone from the squad by now, put Madrid on their way to victory by setting up Benzema’s opening goal. Then, Toni Kroos and Lucas Vázquez added to the lead in a match in which Madrid played most of the second half with 10 men, following a red card to Luka Modric.

After Madrid’s attempts to transfer Bale failed, Zidane started the Wales forward at Balaídos Stadium, and he was key for the team’s victory.

“He is going to stay,” said Zidane, who last month was outspoken about Bale’s transfer being good for everyone. “We have reason to feel positive about all the players that we have in the squad right now.”

REBOUND

It was Madrid’s first away win since Zidane returned as coach late last season. The Spanish powerhouse are trying to rebound from one of their worst campaigns in decades when they were out of title contention several weeks before the end of last season.

“It was important to get off to a good start,” Zidane said. “I’m happy with what I’ve seen. It was great to get the three points in a difficult away match like this. We leave with a good feeling.”

Benzema opened the scoring from close range after Bale’s perfectly timed low cross in front of the goal in the 12th minute. Celta thought they equalised just before half-time, but the goal by Brais Méndez after a defensive mistake by Real Madrid defender Álvaro Odriozola was called off for offside after video review.

Iago Aspas, who was vital last season as Celta barely escaped relegation, came closest to scoring for the hosts.

Modric was sent off early in the second half after video review showed he fouled an opponent from behind, but Kroos added to Madrid’s lead with a superb longrange shot into the top corner.

Substitute Vázquez sealed the victory in the 80th after a pass by Benzema following a nifty spin move by the French striker outside the area.