GARETH BALE SPARED Real Madrid’s blushes as the winger ended a six-month goal drought to score twice and rescue a 2-2 draw at Villarreal, only to then be sent off.
The Yellow Submarine had seemingly sealed the three points when Moi Gomez netted 16 minutes from time, but Bale – who looked destined for the exit not long ago – doubled his tally for the day late on to prevent a first La Liga defeat of the season.
In a dramatic finale, he spoiled an otherwise fine individual outing by picking up two late bookings.
Villarreal’s dynamism on the front foot caused their visitors real issues, as evidenced by Gerard Moreno’s early goal, but Madrid showed flashes of excellence themselves and levelled just before the break through Bale after a sumptuous move.
Zinedine Zidane’s men appeared to be hit by a sucker-punch towards the end when Gomez tapped in, but Bale’s undeniable quality told in the 86th minute with his equaliser, before the Wales star received his marching orders in stoppage time for a second bookable offence in two minutes.
Madrid were guilty of a stunted start and Villarreal made them pay 12 minutes in – Moreno robbing Sergio Ramos, feeding Samuel Chukwueze for a shot, and then the Spanish striker slammed home on the rebound.
The away side responded well and finished the half on top, seeing Karim Benzema cut in from the left and rifle a low drive against the post from 20 yards.
They levelled stylishly in stoppage time, as Luka Jovic’s brilliant flicked pass released Dani Carvajal into the right side of the box and he squared to Bale for a simple tap-in.
Villarreal looked to have got the win when substitute Javi Ontiveros played a clever ball across the face of goal and Gomez nudged over the line.
But Bale struck four minutes from time, drilling into the bottom-right corner from just inside the box to seal a draw.
There was still time for him to pick up two yellow cards in stoppage time, however, the second for catching Xavier Quintilla late.
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On form lar has no business starting. Maybe there is a big game in him yet this year
Yeah but he will take watching all the same.
Yearra the way he is playing you could watch him handy from the upper davin
Oh I can’t fookin wait!
No Mickey Cahill! I’d rate him one of the best hurlers going. Never seen him play a bad game and always picks up the opposition’s top inside forward.
O’Shea must have serious faith in these boys.
My biggest worry is if someone of the likes of bonnar or Callanan get injured or aren’t performing we don’t have the strength in depth to replace them. Backs are okay but kk have much more strength in depth all over the pitch. It’s an 18 man game now
Doubt it makes a difference what Team he picks..
Think people are a bit misguided on Tipp’s strength in depth, we have Jason Forde, Niall O’Meara and Dinny Maher to spring of the bench if needed. Another with potential is Colin O’Riordan or Shane Bourke who had a good league campaign. On form Lar and Noel McGrath probably shouldn’t be selected but we don’t see every training. I have been their biggest critic but can only hope there’s a big game in both on Sunday.. Its going to a be cracking game on Sunday all the same… so many questions, so many moving parts..
Just what I wanted to hear, as long as Lar Corbett plays, we’ll be playing 14 men :)
Tell that to Noel Hickey! Hel be quick to tell you what Lar can do!
* could
There won’t be much sign of you Gavin on this site Sunday night I can tell ya after that comment..