Gareth Bale answers critics in style as Madrid hammer Real Betis

Real Madrid’s 5-0 hammering of Real Betis on Saturday evening helped to ease the pressure on both Gareth Bale and Rafa Benitez — but may have troubled Los Blancos longtime talisman Cristiano Ronaldo.

Bale and Benitez had both been heavily criticised following the previous weekend’s scoreless La Liga draw at Sporting Gijon, with much focus on the new coach having fielded the Welshman in a roving central attacking role.

Benitez defended his decision to give Bale “more freedom” than his attacking colleagues, saying before the opener that the former Spurs man “has characteristics the others don’t have.”