Real Madrid's Gareth Bale, right, shoots the ball next to Getafe's Leandro Cabrera during a Spanish football match at the Liga Bernabeu in Madrid, Sunday, August 19, 2018. (Andrea Comas / Associated Press) [19659002] MADRID – Gareth Bale is doing his part to help Real Madrid with the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Bale scored in the Spanish league opener of Madrid and put down the other goal in a 2-0 victory over Getafe in the derby of Madrid Sunday [19659004] Dani Carvajal also scored for Madrid, which for the first time in almost a decade began his competition campaign without Ronaldo, the club's biggest goal scorer.
Bale, who had not played much when Ronaldo was still in the team he moved to Juventus in the offseason, scored in the 51st minute with a shot from the area after a well placed cross by Marco Asensio.
"I feel good," said Bale, who scored three consecutive years in the Madrid League opener. "We are very optimistic about our opportunities this season."
Bale had already hit the bar with a 16th minute header and a few minutes later he delivered the cross that led to the goal of Carvajal after Getafe goalkeeper David Soria failed to finish the ball completely.
Bale did not have many chances as a starter under coach Zinedine Zidane, but will probably get a bigger role as new manager Julen Lopetegui deals with the absence of Ronaldo and the lack of important signings by the club. 19659009] Bale received a loud ovation from the crowd at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium when he was replaced by Lucas Vazquez in the 77th minute.
Fewer than 50,000 fans reached the Bernabeu at 10:15 PM (local time), the worst presence of the team since before Ronaldo arrived in 2009, according to the Spanish media.
Madrid started his season with a loss for city rival Atletico Madrid in the final of the UEFA Super Cup. It was only third season in the league last season, behind Atletico and champion Barcelona.
Barcelona opened with a 3-0 victory over Alaves at Camp Nou Stadium on Saturday, with a few goals from Lionel Messi.
Atletico Madrid visits Valencia on Monday.
VAR DEBUTS
Sevilla and Rayo Vallecano saw calls on both sides in the debut of the video assistant referee (VAR) in the Spanish competition.
Spain was late to adopt the new technology, but it was used twice in the 4-1 victory of Sevilla at Rayo. It gave Sevilla a 79-minute goal by Andre Silva, which was initially rejected for offside, and about five minutes later Rayo gave a penalty after an error was originally called outside the region.
The newly signed Silva ended with a hat-trick on his league-debut.
Adrian Embarba converted the penalty for the hosts, who had not played in the top flight since the 2015-2016 season.
HUESCA STARTS IN STYLE
Huesca made his Spanish league debut in style and won 2-1 on Eibar.
The small club from northeastern Spain needed only five minutes to score its very first goal in the top flight, coming from Alex Gallar after a nice passage through the defense of Eibar
The midfielder also brought in the second , a free kick that missed everyone in the area and immediately went into the goal.
Gonzalo Escalante drew the hosts closer in the 69th.
Huesca had played a total of only eight seasons in the second di vision for earning his promotion with a second place at the end of last season.
The other promoted club this season was Valladolid, which opened on Friday with a 0-0 draw in Girona.
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