Ronaldo serves notice to Real rivals

Real Madrid 2 Sevilla 0

The former Manchester United star struck in each half to underline Madrid’s dominance of a game they controlled throughout.

The Spanish giants thrilled a capacity 33,500 crowd at Cardiff City Stadium with their all-singing, all-dancing game, and Sevilla’s players were often reduced to a spectating role.

Bale, who joined Real from Tottenham in a world record €100m deal last summer, also stamped his class on proceedings, delivering a precision cross from which Ronaldo scored his opener 15 minutes before the break.

Sevilla could have few complaints, having played second fiddle for long periods.

Ronaldo then stamped a definitive mark on proceedings just four minutes after the break when he rifled a powerful left-footed shot into the corner of Beto’s net to double Real’s lead.

Real boss Carlo Ancelotti paraded his awe-inspiring wealth of playing talent, with major summer signings James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos joining Bale and Ronaldo in a team captained by goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

James and Kroos both had their moments, with the electric speed of Colombia international James’s pass a regular highlight, while Bale’s former Spurs colleague Luka Modric worked tirelessly in midfield.

Ancelotti was suitably impressed, saying: “Toni Kroos’s performance was perfect; he was quick and clear in everything he did.

“The new players showed their quality. We’re more confident than we were this time last year — and that’s rubbed off on the team.”

Although the Spanish domestic season does not start for almost another fortnight, Real already look in ominous form, suggesting they will not only challenge for another European crown but also seriously threaten Atletico Madrid’s reign as La Liga champions.

REAL MADRID: Casillas, Carvajal, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Fabio Coentrao (Marcelo 84), Kroos, Rodriguez (Isco 72), Modric (Illarramendi 86), Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo.

SEVILLA: Beto, Coke (Diogo Figueiras 84), Pareja, Fazio, Fernando Navarro, Alex Vidal (Aspas 66), Krychowiak, Carrico, Vitolo, Suarez (Reyes 79), Bacca.

Referee: M Clattenburg (Eng).