Sociedad 0-3 Real Madrid: Bale scores twice in La Liga win

A Gareth Bale brace and Marco Asensio stunner gave Real Madrid a comfortable win over Real Sociedad in their La Liga opener.

It was a fantastic first half from Los Blancos, with an early goal from Bale and a beautifully-taken second from Asensio giving Zinedine Zidane's men a comfortable lead at the Anoeta Stadium.

It took less than two minutes for Bale to open the scoring, with a fantastic header from close range after Dani Carvajal sent in Madrid's first cross of the season from the wing.

Asensio doubled his side's advantage in the 40th minute when the young talent showed incredible composure with a brilliant first touch from a Raphael Varane long-ball, before calmly chipping the ball over Geronimo Rulli.

Sociedad created little in the way of chances and Madrid looked to be running away with the game as the break approached. 

But the hosts started the second half well with the first chance after the interval falling to La Real, as David Zurutuza squared a dangerous ball into the path of Markel Bergara, who went down in the box after a touch from Carvajal but the referee ignored Sociedad's appeals for a penalty.

Toni Kroos came close to adding a third for Madrid when his volley crashed against the crossbar, after Rulli had produced an impressive save from an Alvaro Morata effort before the rebound fell to Kroos. 

Madrid opted to sit back for much of the second half and looked a real threat on the break, creating chances easier than Eusebio Sacristan would have liked. 

Bale continued to cause problems as he drove at the Sociedad defence and came close shortly after the hour mark when he went on a solo run down the right flank into the box, but Rulli did well to come off his line and make himself big to deflect the Welshman's shot away. 

And just moments layer Rulli was called into action again, making a fine save to deny Mateo Kovacic, who tried his luck from 35 yards out after picking up a rebound off the wall from a Sergio Ramos free-kick.

Sociedad had a late chance to grab a conciliatory goal when Mikel Oyarzabal evaded his marker to drive into the Madrid box and send a powerful shot at Kiko Casilla, but it was an awkward angle for the winger and Casilla dealt with the danger comfortably.

Bale wrapped up victory with the final kick of the game after a surging run from midfield into the box to slot home from close-range.