Real Madrid picked up a 4-0 win on Saturday at home to Valladolid, thanks to a sensational performance from former Totteham man Gareth Bale. The Wales international scored a hat-trick and picked up an assist in a display worthy of Cristiano Ronaldo, who was watching from the sidelines with an injury.
All in all Bale had seven shots at goal, completed 90% of his passes and generally caused havoc amongst the away side. It was the first time since arriving in the Spanish capital that the ex-Southampton winger has really taken the game by the scruff of the neck and powered Madrid onto victory.
The video below shows you just how impressive he was. The first came thanks to an Angel Di Maria shot-slash-cross that was parried into the path of Bale, and he made no qualms in nodding it into the gaping net. [4:40]
Then, after a slick move from the home side, Bale floated in a lovely ball over the top of the defence for Karim Benzema to burst in and loop his header over the away side’s keeper. [6:00]
Bale then doubled his tally after linking up with Marcelo who then swung the ball into the box for the former to tap in. [10:45]
His hat-trick came in similar circumstances, as Marcelo squared the ball to an onrushing Bale deep into the Valladolid box to knock into the empty goal. [14:00]
A fine display from a fine player.