Real Madrid star Gareth Bale was substituted just half an hour into the Spanish giants Champions League opener against Shakhtar Donetsk due to a calf injury on Tuesday.

The Welshman went down under no apparent pressure before hobbling off to be replaced by Mateo Kovacic.

Bale had been in fine form at the start of the campaign after a difficult second season at the Bernabeu, scoring twice against Real Betis and playing a part in five of Madrid's six goals at Espanyol on Saturday.

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