It may not have been done in the spectacular style of the goals which earned him his move to the Spanish capital, but Gareth Bale began his Real Madrid career last night in a near perfect fashion, with the opening goal for his side in last night’s La Liga draw away to Villareal.

Bale slid in to connect with a Dani Carvajal cross with just six minutes to go until half-time. It was a simple enough tap in, but certainly a welcome relief from the pressures of being the newest man to bear the weight of the world’s most expensive player tag.

Bale played for an hour before Carlo Ancellotti called him ashore – with boos of the Villareal fans ringing around El Madrigal. Bale’s lack of match fitness showed in his performance and the goal will be a welcome distraction from an otherwise slightly underwhelming display, heavily hampered as he was by his lack of a pre-season.

At that stage it was 1-1. Cristiano Ronaldo – who had played the game on the left, with Bale on the right – put Madrid ahead just two minutes after Bale’s withdrawal.

Giovanni Dos Santos – another former Spurs player – equalised for the home side late in the game.