Former Real Madrid midfielder Rafael Van der Vaart will miss the match against his former club with Real Betis. (Getty)
Final Score
Real Madrid 2-3 — 5
Real Betis 0-0 — 0
Real Madrid opened their goals for account in a big way, firing five past Betis to claim all three points at the Bernabeu on Saturday.
Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez each scored twice in the win, while Karim Benzema scored in his return to the lineup.
To compound Betis’ misery, Ruben Castro Martin missed a penalty in the second half.
Check below for stats and highlights of the match.
Lineups
Real Madrid: Navas, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo, Danilo, Kroos, Bale, Modric, Ronaldo, James, Benzema
Real Betis: Adan, Cabrera, Vargas, Piccini, Pezzela, Torres, Cejudo, N’Diaye, Soler, Molinero, Martin
Stats
Goals: Real Madrid: Bale (2′), (89′), Rodriguez (39′, 50′), Benzema (47′)
Shots (On Goal): Real Madrid 21 (11 on goal), Real Betis 7 (1 on goal)
Tackles: Real Madrid 13, Real Betis 9
Fouls: Real Madrid 12, Real Betis 14
Possession: Real Madrid 69% Real Betis 31%
Cards: Real Madrid: Kroos (24′), Varane (60′), Casemiro (86′); Real Betis: Vargas (29′), Molinero (38′), Torres (90′)
Gareth Bale Gave Real Madrid a 1-0 Lead in the 2nd Minute
The much-maligned attacking midfielder quickly gave Real a 1-0 lead and their first goal of the season with this finish.
James Rodriguez Made it 2-0 Madrid in the 39th Minute With This Stunning Free Kick
After assisting on Bale’s goal, Rodriguez got on the scoresheet with this excellent free kick from a sharp angle in the 39th minute.
Karim Benzema Scored on his Return to the Real Madrid Lineup
Real Madrid turned it on to the tune of two goals in three second half minutes. First, Benzema scored in the 47th minute, then James scored again with this bicycle kick past confused Betis goalie Antonio Adan to give Real Madrid a 4-0 lead.
Bale Wrapped up Win With a Goal in the 89th Minute
Real Madrid finished off the 5-0 win with this excellent goal from Bale, his second of the match.
Preview: Real Madrid Looking for Goals Against Real Betis
Real were held to a 0-0 draw by Sportin de Gijon last week. (Getty)
Karim Benzema is set to make his return to the starting lineup for Real Madrid, who were held to a goalless draw in their opening match.
Benzema suffered a thigh injury in preseason, but trained with his teammates during the week ahead of the Betis meeting.
Real Madrid lacked clinical finishing in the match with Sporting, and manager Rafa Benitez hopes Benzema adds a more direct force to the attack. It’s been rumored all summer that he may leave the club, but the lone dangerous center forward option on the roster is unlikely to leave before the transfer window shuts on Monday night.
Young Betis midfielder Dani Ceballos has been targeted by a number of top clubs — including Real Madrid — over the summer. He appeared as a substitute in last week’s 1-1 draw with Villarreal, but may be left out of the starting lineup again as the transfer rumors swirl around the 19-year-old.