In the absence of injured new signing Eden Hazard, it was Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale who contributed with goals and assists as Real Madrid opened their domestic campaign with a comfortable 3-1 win at Celta Vigo on Saturday.

Bale, who many thought would be gone from the squad by now, put Madrid on the way to victory by setting up Benzema’s opening goal, then Toni Kroos and Lucas Vázquez added to the lead in a match in which Madrid played most of the second half with 10 men following a red card to Luka Modric.

After Madrid’s attempts to transfer Bale failed, Zinedine Zidane started the Wales forward at Balaídos Stadium and he was key for the team’s victory.

“He is going to stay,” said Zidane.