Toni Kroos scored a stunning goal as Gareth Bale returned to the Real Madrid starting line-up in their 3-1 victory over Celta Vigo in La Liga.
The Welshman looked set to leave the Bernabeu after being effectively told he had no future in pre-season and coming close to landing a lucrative move to China.
But Bale was surprisingly preferred over Lucas Vazquez for Real's trip to the Balaidos, and responded by setting up the opening goal for team-mate Karim Benzema.
Real rode their luck in the early stages and had Luca Modric sent off in the 54th minute, but a wonder goal from Toni Kroos and a further strike from substitute Vazquez wrapped up victory before Sebastian Losada's late consolation.
😲📽️ Stop scrolling and wait for the Toni Kroos goal...and replay!
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC) August 17, 2019
🚀 What. A. Hitpic.twitter.com/961PdbjQPl
Victory was made all the more sweeter coming just a day after Barcelona opened the new La Liga season with a 1-0 defeat at Athletic Bilbao following an overhead kick from 38-year-old Artiz Aduriz.
😲🙌 ICYMI: An overhead kick from 38-year-old Aritz Aduriz gave Athletic Bilbao a 1-0 victory over Barcelona in La Liga! pic.twitter.com/IKVlhVStkN
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC) August 17, 2019
Mikel Oyarzabal's penalty deep into added time salvaged a 1-1 draw for Real Sociedad against Valencia at the Mestalla.
The hosts took a 58th-minute lead through Kevin Gameiro but, in the 100th minute of the game, Francis Coquelin was sent off for a handball and Oyarzabal scored from the spot.
Villarreal and Granada kicked off the season in fine style after playing out a thrilling 4-4 draw at Estadio De La Ceramica.
Santi Cazorla's penalty gave the Yellow Submarine the lead before Fede Vico levelled the scores with a spot-kick of his own just before half-time.
Moi Gomez restored Villarreal's lead only for Ruben Pena's own goal to restore parity once more.
Gerard Moreno gave Javier Calleja's side the lead for the third time in the match and Samuel Chukwueze looked to have won it when he made it 4-2 with 17 minutes remaining.
Roberto Soldado grabbed a goal back for Granada in the 75th minute and Antonio Puertas secured a dramatic point with a third equaliser after 81 minutes.
Paulo Oliveira's own goal after 75 minutes handed Mallorca a 2-1 victory at home to Eibar.
Eibar centre-back Oliveira had earlier equalised Dani Rodriguez's fourth-minute opener before putting into his own net.
Elsewhere, Ezequiel Avila scored the only goal for Osasuna in their 1-0 victory over Leganes, who had Oscar Arnaiz sent off in added time.
