Real Madrid strolled to a 3-0 win at Celta Vigo in their first La Liga game of the 2019-20 season.
Of all the pre-match talk was centred on Zinedine Zidane's decision to reintroduce Gareth Bale into the Real Madrid starting line up, after confirming the club are continuing to look for a buyer for the 30-year old.
However, Bale did not lot the speculation affect him at the Estadio Balaidos, setting up Karim Benzema for the opening goal on 12 minutes – with the Frenchman tapping home Bale's low cross.
Celta did enjoy chances, and Thibaut Courtois had to be alert to make a brave stop from Iago Aspas' close range effort just after the half hour mark.
The hosts thought they had found a breakthrough right on the stroke of half time, with Aspas teeing up Brais Mendez for an easy finish – however VAR overruled the goal for an offside against the former Liverpool forward.
Real Madrid picked up where they left off after the break, with Celta keeper Ruben Blanco saving from Benzema and Luka Modric.
However, Modric was not out of limelight for long, with referee Javier Fernandez handing him a straight red card for a late challenge on Denis Suarez on 56 minutes – with Fernandez consulting VAR to confirm the Croatian's dismissal.
That only spurred Real Madrid on, and Toni Kroos made it 2-0 just after the hour with a fine 25-yard piledriver, with substitute Lucas Vazquez making the points safe with 10 minutes left.
Celta did manage to grab a late consolation, with fellow substitute Iker Losada lashing an angled effort past Courtois in added time.
