Los 40 USA
NewslettersSign in to commentAPP
spainSPAINchileCHILEcolombiaCOLOMBIAusaUSAmexicoMEXICOlatin usaLATIN USAamericaAMERICA

LALIGA

Bale continues Anoeta scoring run in Real Madrid victory

Real Madrid kicked off their LaLiga campaign by beating Real Sociedad in San Sebastián - where Gareth Bale was on target yet again.

Update:
Bale continues Anoeta scoring run in Real Madrid victory
FELIPE SEVILLANODIARIO AS

Real Madrid's victory away to Real Sociedad in their LaLiga opener saw Gareth Bale begin his fourth season with the club by scoring on a ground where he's always enjoyed good fortunes in front of goal.

The 27-year-old had found the net on each of his previous three trips to face the Txuri-Urdin at Anoeta - and on Sunday he extended that record, notching twice to take his tally to five in four in San Sebastián. Here's a look at each of his strikes:

Bale makes Bravo pay for howler

In 2013/14, his maiden campaign at Madrid, Bale took advantage of a calamitous error from then La Real goalkeeper Claudio Bravo to grab Los Blancos' second in a 4-0 win. Midway through the second half, Bravo's misjudged clearance fell straight to the Welshman, who clinically punished the mistake from 25 yards.

Bale beats Bravo after cutting out the the Chilean's kick.
Full screen
Bale beats Bravo after cutting out the the Chilean's kick.

Stunning solo goal in defeat

In the second week of the following season, Bale was on target once again in San Sebastián, appearing to leave Madrid coasting to victory with a fine individual effort that put Los Merengues 2-0 up after just 10 minutes.

Bale slots in to put Real two to the good in 2014.
Full screen
Bale slots in to put Real two to the good in 2014.GETTY IMAGES

Receiving the ball from Luka Modric, the 'Cardiff Express' bamboozled defender Gorka Elustondo with a nutmeg inside the area before firing low past Eñaut Zubikarai. However, his solo strike proved in vain as the hosts turned the match on its head to run out 4-2 winners.

Match-winning header

Last term, with the LaLiga run-in reaching its climax, Bale proved the hero as he headed in Lucas Vázquez's 80th-minute cross, his 19th league goal of the campaign handing Zinedine Zidane's title-chasing side all three points in the teams' week 36 encounter.

Bale heads Real Madrid's winning goal at Anoeta last term.
Full screen
Bale heads Real Madrid's winning goal at Anoeta last term.

Brace as Real make victorious Primera División start

And this weekend Bale took just 72 seconds to score at Anoeta, bulleting in an early header from Dani Carvajal's cross to set his side on their way to a convincing LaLiga week 1 triumph in the Basque Country. In time added on, he rounded keeper Gerónimo Rulli to grab his second of the match and seal a 3-0 result.

Bale takes the ball around Rulli before sliding into an empty net.
Full screen
Bale takes the ball around Rulli before sliding into an empty net.Juan HerreroEFE