Gareth Bale scored and won a penalty as Real Madrid cruised to a 4-0 win over Alaves at the Bernabeu on Saturday.

Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring in the first half before Bale added the second moments into the second.

Ronaldo then put Madrid further ahead just past the hour-mark while Karim Benzema scored from the spot with a minute left on the clock.

Here, we anaylse Bale’s performance.

STATISTICS 

Goals – 1

Assists – 0

Shots – 3

Shots on target – 1

Touches – 86

Passes – 51

Aerials won – 0

Key passes – 3

Dribbles – 8

Dispossessed – 5

30-SECOND REPORT

Starting on the left side of a 4-4-2 formation, it’s safe to say Bale was in no way restricted to his flank. The speedy winger was all over the place, in a good way. For someone who hasn’t had the easiest season in terms of his run in the first team, he was bustling with confidence and seemed to demand the ball at every opportunity.

In the absence of Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Isco, Bale seemed to assume the play-making responsibility in the final third, dropping into the space behind Ronald and Benzema on a regular basis.

He showed his acceleration and strength by skipping past several challenges and was one of the standout players on the day.

Bale also regularly swapped positions with Ronaldo, allowing the Portuguese to drift wide and making the duo impossible to mark.

He took his goal seconds after the restart well but could easily have had more while he created three chances and won a penalty at the death as well.

GOT RIGHT

Involvement – He was on the ball more than he’s ever been. He had 86 touches in the game, only Dani Carvajal had more with 90. Nearly every Madrid attack went through him.

Movement – He was clearly given the freedom to roam and took full advantage, pooping up in spaces all across the final third. His clever interchange with Ronaldo and Benzema to an extent as well opened up Alaves.

GOT WRONG

Lost the ball – Although you want Bale to play with freedom and take on defenders at will, he needs to know when to opt for the easy pass. In fairness, he probably does. But with Madrid having a rather easy time against Alaves, he saw fit to take on all comers. It did lead to him being dispossessed on five separate occasions though.

KEY MOMENTS

16th min PASS: Bale plays Ronaldo in on the left who takes a shot first time but his low drive is saved by the goalkeeper.

25th min BICYCLE KICK: Benzema beats his man and crosses for Bale whose overhead kick goes just wide.

38th min CHANCE: Pacheco’s poor kick finds Bale but the keeper then does excellently to save from the Welshman’s effort.

46th min GOAL: Alaves lose the ball right from the restart and Bale is released down the left. He races into the box and slots a calm finish past Pacheco at the near post.

54th minute SHOT: Bale curls one just over the bar from outside the area.

61st minute PASS: Bale does well to spread play to Vasquez who squares it to Ronaldo to finish.

81st minute CROSS: The Welshman fizzes a well-hit cross into the six-yard box but Benzema can’t reach it in time.

89th minute PENALTY: Bale is clipped inside the box and wins a penalty which Benzema converts.

VERDICT

Even though he only scored one goal, this was perhaps his best performance of the season. He boasted a commanding presence on the pitch and looked like Madrid’s go-to man in attack.

His confidence on the ball was unparalleled and he opened up Alaves with not only his runs but also passing. Having taken his chance well and won a penalty as well, he was Madrid’s man of the match.

RATING: 8.5/10

All statistics are compiled using whoscored.com