UEFA Champions League 2016-17: Real Madrid 5-1 Legia Warsaw - 5 talking points
Real Madrid survived some early resistance from minnows Legia Warsaw as the reigning European champions saw off the Polish challenge in style as they beat Warsaw 5-1 at the Bernabeu. The first 25 minutes of the game were pretty exciting as Warsaw had a fair share of the ball and had decent chances to put themselves ahead. Gareth Bale then opened the scoring in fine style in the 16th minute which opened the floodgates for a Real Madrid annihilation.
Marcelo's shot took a cruel deflection of Tomasz Jodlowiec and it was 2-0 to the hosts. Warsaw received a penalty next and was calmly slotted home by Miroslav Radovic but soon Marcos Asensio scored Madrid's third goal and took the game out of Warsaw's reach.
Lucas Vazquez and Alvaro Morata scored in the second half to take Real’s tally up to five in the game. The win also ensured the La Liga side joined Borussia Dortmund at the top of their Champions League group. Let's take a look at the five talking points from the game that underwent at the Bernabeu :
#1 Gareth Bale finally scores a goal from open play in Europe
Despite his crucial role in Real's Champions League victory last season as he scored a penalty in the final against Atletico Madrid, Bale had not scored from open play since Ludogorets visited Bernabeu in 2014. He finally broke his duck as he scored a delightful goal cutting in and driving in a powerful shot into the side netting.
Bale opened the scoring but could not continue his good performance ahead as he lost possession on many occasions and was guilty of trying too hard. His crossing was also sub par as the Welshman was substituted in the 60th minute for Alvaro Morata who was brilliant against Warsaw.