Gareth Bale: Real Madrid forward breaks Gary Lineker's record to become La Liga's all-time leading British goalscorer

Bale’s goal took him past Lineker’s record of 42 goals in 103 appearaces

Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale celebrates with his team-mates (Getty Images)

Gareth Bale has become the all-time leading British goalscorer in La Liga’s history, surpassing Gary Lineker at the top of rankings.

The Real Madrid forward scored his side’s third goal in their 4-0 rout of Sevilla, his 43^rd strike in just 76 league appearances.

Bale’s strike took him past Lineker’s record of 42 goals in 103 appearances, which he established during his three-year spell at Barcelona from 1986 to 1989.

The Wales international, who will miss his national side’s upcoming friendlies against Northern Ireland and Ukraine having recently returned from injury, tapped home from close range just after the hour mark.

Karim Benzema deftly chipped goalkeeper Sergio Rico to set up Bale, who applied a simple, controlled finish.

The former Tottenham Hotspur winger could have claimed the record earlier on, seeing a first-half goal incorrectly disallowed for offside, and also struck the woodwork twice on the night.

Lineker congratulated Bale on his achievement, tweeting: “Well played @GarethBale11 really pleased for you.”

Bale expressed his happiness at breaking the record after the final whistle but insisted that he is only focused on improving his game at Madrid.

"I'm very happy. This new record gives me joy and now the important thing is to improve," he told the club’s website.

"You have to try to improve. It's a good result and we have to carry on like this, keeping this rhythm. It's good news to have all the squad available and we have enjoyed having everyone available.

"We knew that it would be a difficult game today, we played very good and we have to continue like this in the rest of the games. We're working a lot and we hope to give everything in each game.

"I'm not going away with the national team, I'll stay here with other players and I'll train to be at 100 percent."