Gareth Bale scores as Real Madrid take commanding first leg lead

Gareth Bale found the net as Real Madrid took a commanding 3-0 lead in the first leg of their Copa del Rey quarter final against Numancia.

The Welsh winger opened the scoring from the penalty spot, with Isco also finding the back of the net from the 12-yard mark. There was also a goal for Borja Mayoral, who is the top scorer in this season’s Copa del Rey so far.

Numancia put up a fight until they were reduced to 10 men when Pape Diamanka was shown a second yellow card for a late challenge in the second half. From that point on, Zinedine Zidane’s side took a firm grip of the contest.

Real Madrid will now take a commanding lead into next week’s second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, all but ensuring that they will take their place in the semi finals of the competition.

Is Gareth Bale finally fully fit? This wasn’t a vintage performance from Bale, dipping in and out of the contest, but there were signs that the Welshman, having missed much of the season through injury, is finally nearing full fitness. He was also taken off by Zidane at the hour mark, suggesting that he will start against Celta Vigo on Sunday evening.

Lucas Vazquez (Real Madrid). He might have made the most of the contact from the defender to win the second penalty, but Vazquez was the best Real Madrid player on the pitch. The winger comes in for frequent criticism, even from his own fans, but he gave the Spanish and European champions a different dimension against a Numancia side who needed to be drawn out to get in behind. That’s what Vazquez did.

Numancia - Munir 6, Medina 6, Ripa 5, Gutierrez 4, Calvo 5, Diamanka 4, Milla 5, Grego 6, Nieto 6, Larrea 5, Higinio 6.

Real Madrid - Casillas 5, Carvajal 5, Vallejo 6, Nacho 5, Theo 6, Vazquez 8, Llorente 5, Ceballos 6, Asensio 6, Bale 7, Mayoral 6. Subs - Isco 6, Achraf 5, Kovacic 5.

15’ GOOD CHANCE FOR BALE! That was a decent opportunity for the Welsh winger. He attempted a flick at the near post, but it didn't quite come off. Nice idea from Bale, it must be said.

27’ SHOULD HAVE SCORED! Mayoral should have found the net from there. He lost his marker and got on the end of a cross to the back post, but he stuck his shot wide of the target.

33’ PENALTY KICK TO REAL MADRID! Vazquez is brought down inside the area and Real will have the chance from the spot.

34’ GOAL! Numancia 0-1 Real Madrid: There's the opener and it has been scored for Real Madrid by Bale! He waited for the Numancia goalkeeper to choose a direction and rolled it the other way.

56’ SENT OFF! Diamanka is shown a second yellow card for a late challenge and he is sent off!

75’ OFF THE CROSSBAR! Wow! That was almost one of the goals of the season. Perez lobbed Casilla from the centre circle, but it coms back off the woodwork. What an effort that was!

84’ PENALTY KICK TO REAL MADRID! It's another spot kick to the away side, with Vazquez brought down again.

87’ GOAL! Numancia 0-2 Real Madrid: He's not been on the pitch for that long, brought on as a second half sub, but Isco steps up to the 12-yard mark and fires a shot high into the roof of the net. Good strike from the playmaker.

89’ GOAL! Numancia 0-3 Real Madrid: And that will be that for this tie. Mayoral managed to lose his marker from a cross into the box and directed a header into the ground and past the opposition goalkeeper, who didn't stand a chance.

Lucas Vazquez has won more penalties than any other Real Madrid player under Zinédine Zidane in all competitions (five).

Gareth Bale has been directly involved in seven goals in his last nine games for Real Madrid in all competitions (four goals and three assists).