Gareth Bale scores in 1st outing since November

Gareth Bale is back.

The Welshman has been sidelined since suffering an ankle injury in a Champions League group match at Sporting Lisbon on Nov. 22, but he was brought on as a replacement for Real Madrid goal-scorer Alvaro Morata against Espanyol after 71 minutes Saturday.

Twelve minutes later, Bale tucked in an accurate finish beyond Diego Lopez.

His return should alert Napoli, which has to turn around a 3-1 deficit in their last-16 Champions League meeting March 7. Maurizio Sarri's attack-minded side will have to be on the ascendancy at the Stadio San Paolo, leaving it susceptible to a pacey counter-attack spearheaded by Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Before that continental clash, Real Madrid takes on Valencia, Villarreal, and Las Palmas. Los Blancos are four points clear atop La Liga before Sevilla welcomes Eibar to Andalusia later Saturday.