The week that was in football

Gareth Bale had an impact almost as soon as he turned up to play for Real Madrid. Denis Doyle / Getty Images

The world's most expensive transfer makes his Primera Liga debut, two German giants seem headed for a collision, a surprise side top of Serie?A and the nouveau riche lead in France. Paul Oberjuerge reviews the highlights.

Gareth Bale scores The Welshman, purchased by Real Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur for €100 million (Dh488m) last month, started in his Spanish Primera Liga debut and scored in the 39th minute of a 2-2 draw with Villarreal on Saturday evening. His coach, Carlo Ancelotti, said: "I think he is happy because scoring the first goal for Real Madrid is very good for him."

Neymar 'flawless' The flashy Brazilian assisted Lionel Messi on a goal in Barcelona's controversial 3-2 La Liga victory over Sevilla on Saturday night, and his coach, Gerardo Martino, said: "Neymar played a flawless game from all points of view. We're very happy with what he adds to the team."

Dortmund, Bayern roll Borussia Dortmund thrashed Hamburg 6-2, with two goals each from Robert Lewandowski, above, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Bayern Munich beat Hannover 2-0. It is not too early to look forward to their first German Bundesliga clash, November 23.

Derby d'Italy draw Reigning Italian Serie?A champions Juventus got a goal from Arturo Vidal to salvage a point, away to Inter Milan, and the Juve coach Antonio Conte said: "We showed Juventus are a tough team that don't die and are hard to beat. We can achieve something historic this season."

Monaco, Ligue leaders The Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev spent €130m on three players this summer and one of them, the Colombian striker Radamel Falcao, scored a first-half penalty as the promoted side beat Lorient 1-0 and moved to the top of the French Ligue?1 table.