Gareth Bale was able to put some of the doubts over his early season form behind him as he scored twice and set up two more in Real Madrid's chaotic and wildly entertaining 7-3 win over Sevilla in the Spanish La Liga.
Bale had been questioned in the press following his side's 1-2 defeat to FC Barcelona Saturday night, but he was in the starting 11 as Real Madrid entertained a Sevilla side that had not won away in their last 21 league games, reports Xinhua.
The Welshman opened the score after 13 minutes after a flowing team move. His second of the night 27 minutes later had more than a touch off a defender to wrong-foot Sevilla goalkeeper, Beto.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a penalty to put Madrid 3-0 ahead after a foul on Isco.
The game looked to be virtually over. However Sevilla pulled a goal back from the penalty spot themselves following a foul by Sergio Ramos. Carlos Bacca got the visitors right back into the match in the 39th minute after fine work from Jairo down the Sevilla left.
Sevilla had further chances but following a save from Diego Lopez the play swept to the other end to allow Karim Benzema to make it 4-2 after 52 minutes.
Ronaldo netted his second of the night on the hour mark following a pass from Bale from the right wing. It looked all over but Rakitic's second gave Sevilla a glimmer of hope.
Ronaldo got his hat-trick when his deflected shot looped into the back of the net 20 minutes from time.
Although Sevilla could have pulled one back from the third penalty of the night, Rakitic blazed over the bar, before Benzema headed his second of the night home from close range.
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