Real Madrid got off to a flying start in La Liga with a comfortable win away from home on Saturday with the help of a magnificent long-range strike from Toni Kroos, although they had Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric sent off for a straight red card offence.
Karim Benzema put Madrid ahead in the 12th minute after a superb piece of wing play from Gareth Bale, who had earned a surprise starting berth because of an injury to Eden Hazard after a close season period of uncertainty over his future.