The Welshman hit a hat trick against Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday as his new coach made a positive start to a new era and the fans got right behind the former France icon.
It was said that only one player was sad to see Rafa Benitez leave Real Madrid. New coach Zinedine Zidane was even asked about the Gareth Bale situation this week and promised his player all the "support and affection" he needed. On Saturday, the Welshman responded remarkably.
Madrid had done everything it could these last few days to banish Benitez from the collective memory at the Bernabeu as president Florentino Perez dedicated only a few words to the Spanish coach as he announced his sacking on Monday and the club's director of institutional relations, Emilio Butragueno, did the same at Zidane's presentation on Tuesday.