Celta Madrid: Karim Benzema scored twice and Gareth Bale notched another for Real Madrid in a 4-1 thrashing of Leganes .
At the Santiago Bernabeu, Bale broke the deadlock with a smart half-volley, which was briefly cancelled out by Leganes’ Guido Carrillo, who converted his own spot-kick to ensure Thibaut Courtois’ first Madrid contribution was to pick the ball out of his own net.
Rejuvenated under new coach Julen Lopetegui and, perhaps, liberated by Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure, Bale and Benzema impressed again. Bale has now scored three times and Benzema four from the first three La Liga games of the season. Together with Asensio, Real may be about to discover a new attacking trio of untouchables, even if Lopetegui rejected the idea afterwards.
“The word untouchable does not exist in football,” Lopetegui said. “The goals were down to the whole team.” Real have also taken maximum points from their opening three fixtures in contrast to the same point last season when they were already five behind Barcelona.
Real’s confident start saw Asensio skip in behind but his lifted finish floated just over before Bale’s cross was too quick for the straining head of Benzema at the back post.
Real looked in control but, against the run of play, Leganes earned a lifeline when Casemiro tripped Javier Eraso in the box. Carrillo sidefooted left as Courtois dived right. Benzema was unlucky to restore the lead when his fired shot was denied only by the foot of Cuellar but the striker did not have to wait long. Three minutes into the second half he headed in Asensio’s cross from the left after winning a tussle with Leganes’ Jonathan Silva. Referee Jaime Latre initially blew for a foul but, after consulting VAR, the replay showed Silva had been the aggressor and the goal stood.
Reigning champions Barcelona take on Huesca at the Camp Nou on Sunday.