Real Madrid: Two big takeaways from Gareth Bale’s hat-trick against Belarus

Real Madrid right winger Gareth Bale has returned to his club from a loan at Tottenham in a mood to score goals. He found the back of the net regularly for Spurs last season, so Madridistas reasoned that if he could keep those numbers up in the more defensive LaLiga, then he could easily be their best option on the right wing.

Bale has already netted once in the league, scoring early against Levante. And while he was poor against Real Betis, we can chalk that up to both the flow of the game and the looming absences in midfield.

Because Bale was prolific again this weekend for his national team, scoring his first hat trick for Wales in a competitive match and his second hat trick overall. We all know how much Bale loves Wales, and the national team captain led by example on Sunday in a World Cup qualification match against Belarus.

Bale’s goals were very, very necessary, as Wales only just edged out the opposition 3-2. The experienced forward’s first goals were from the penalty spot, and his third was a 93rd-minute winner. So just like his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, Bale rescued his national team at the death, showing his own influence on the international stage.

Gareth Bale did more than just score goals for Wales against Belarus

The goals are key for Madridistas, because goals are the most important thing Bale can provide, especially at this stage of his career when he isn’t as much of a threat to complete dribbles. Real Madrid need Bale to be ruthless and take the chances he is given, and he was the definition of that for Wales this weekend.

But there is another takeaway worth noting. Bale won eight duels, drew four fouls, and completed four crosses in this win over Belarus. Furthermore, his goals were a result of a consistent effort to score, as he attempted seven shots.

Not only should Madrdidistas be encouraged by Bale’s confidence in going for goal, but they should also be thrilled by his influence on the game in other areas. Winning eight duels is a big deal for a forward, and it shows just how much effort Bale put in for the team. Effort was one thing fans questioned of Bale during his last full season in Madrid, and that’s honestly very rare. Bale is a player known for giving his all.

For Wales, Bale gives 100 percent, and under Carlo Ancelotti, fans can feel confident that he will do the same. There is also the matter of staying fresh and fit, and at his age, Bale is still showing that he can offer that intensity. That won’t be the case in every match, but as long as it happens more often than not, Real Madrid fans should be quite pleased.