New Real Madrid signing Gareth Bale scores on debut
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Gareth Bale marked his Real Madrid debut with a goal but his new side were held to a 2-2 draw at Villarreal on Saturday.
The world's most expensive player was handed a start at El Madrigal by Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, despite suffering an injury-interrupted past couple of months.
He has not played a full match yet this season because of a foot injury and was only fit enough to play half an hour as a substitute for Wales against Serbia in midweek.
But Ancelotti opted to hand the Welshman his first start of the campaign, playing him in a right wing role alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Isco.
Villarreal were the better team for much of the first half and were in front after 21 minutes through Cani.
But six minutes before half-time, Bale equalised with a sliding tap-in right in front of goal off a pass from Daniel Carvajal.
His debut was over on the hour mark as he was replaced by Ángel di María after a run-out which will have done much to boost the winger's match fitness.
Ronaldo put Los Blancos ahead in the 64th minute before Giovani dos Santos got an equaliser for the home side just nine minutes later.
"I think (Bale) is happy to score his first goal for Real Madrid. He played in a difficult match and he played well, showing his good attitude," Ancelotti said after the game.
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| Gareth Bale celebrates after scoring Real Madrid's first goal against Villarreal Photo: Getty Images |
The world's most expensive player was handed a start at El Madrigal by Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, despite suffering an injury-interrupted past couple of months.
He has not played a full match yet this season because of a foot injury and was only fit enough to play half an hour as a substitute for Wales against Serbia in midweek.
But Ancelotti opted to hand the Welshman his first start of the campaign, playing him in a right wing role alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Isco.
Villarreal were the better team for much of the first half and were in front after 21 minutes through Cani.
But six minutes before half-time, Bale equalised with a sliding tap-in right in front of goal off a pass from Daniel Carvajal.
His debut was over on the hour mark as he was replaced by Ángel di María after a run-out which will have done much to boost the winger's match fitness.
Ronaldo put Los Blancos ahead in the 64th minute before Giovani dos Santos got an equaliser for the home side just nine minutes later.
"I think (Bale) is happy to score his first goal for Real Madrid. He played in a difficult match and he played well, showing his good attitude," Ancelotti said after the game.
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