Gareth Bale goes from zero to hero after sensational display in Real Madrid's 3-2 win at Rayo Vallecano

£86m Welshman has made four assists in his last two matches

Cristiano Ronaldo (right) celebrates with Gareth Bale, who created his second goal in the 3-2 win at Rayo Vallecano on Saturday (GETTY IMAGES)

From being described as “the worst player” in last weekend’s El Clasico, to being labelled as a diver after Real Madrid’s 7-3 thrashing of Sevilla in the week - despite creating two goals and scoring twice in the match - it now appears Gareth Bale is finally winning over his critics in Spain.

After making two assists in Real Madrid’s 3-2 win at Rayo Vallecano, bringing his total to four assists in three days, Madrid-based newspaper Marca, who had been one of the £86m Welshman’s harshest critics after the 2-1 loss at Barcelona last weekend, wrote: “Gareth Bale has silenced all of his doubters over the past three days. The Welshman was one of Real Madrid's best players once again in the clash with Rayo Vallecano.”

Bale provided a goal each for Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo in the victory, and Marca has hailed Real’s attacking intent with the three players linking up so well.

“The Ronaldo-Benzema-Bale trident worked a treat again in Vallecas. Bale proved once again that he is a great partner for the Frenchman and the Portuguese.”

AS, meanwhile, could not work out whether the 24-year-old, who usually plays on the left wing, was right or left footed, after he delivered an inch-perfect cross with his right foot for Benzema's headed goal. “If Bale really is right-footed, which we can’t rule out, then his signing has been a bargain. Three of the four assists he has made in Madrid’s last two outings have come from his right foot.”