Real Madrid 3 Leganes 0: Gareth Bale celebrates new £750,00-a-week contract with two goals, but Zinedine Zidane’s men are uninspiring
Welshman netted brace to kill game off but La Liga newboys gave hosts scary moments despite large victory margin
GARETH BALE celebrated his new contract with a brace as Real Madrid eased past Leganes to extend their lead at the top of the table five points for the time being.
The scoreline suggests it was comfortable for the Champions League holders.
But the La Liga newboys held their own in their first-ever league visit to the Bernabeu — and certainly held their hosts at bay.
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Leganes looks set to take advantage of a slow start by Real Madrid as they were camped in Los Blancos’ half.
However, Bale — who recently signed a new contract worth a staggering £750,000-a-week — opened the scoring on 38 minutes.
The Welshman latched on to Isco’s through ball and found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
He coolly went round Jon Serantes and slotted the ball into the net.
And then he but the game to bed in first half stoppage time as he was first to reaction to a loose ball following a free-kick into the box.
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Leganes came out for the second half with a more carefree attitude and took the game to Real Madrid.
And the hosts were thankful for a superb Keylor Navas save after Alexander Szymanowski was put through.
But Alvaro Morata justified Zinedine Zidane’s decision to start him ahead of Karim Benzema as he put the game to bed as Real Madrid went straight down the other end of the pitch to make it three.
Cristiano Ronaldo had a frustrating game by his high standards as he failed to really test Serantes — firing wildly from a free kick in stoppage time.
While Marcelo was lucky not receive at least a booking for a terrible tackle late on.
Omar Ramos was yellow carded for a foul on the Brazilian, who got his own back just a minute later with a late lunge.
Marcelo’s trailing foot caught the Leganes ace on the ankle and he was forced to leave the field early.
Barcelona face a tricky trip to Sevilla tonight, where a win would reduce the gap to two points.