Modric stars after Madrid lose Casemiro

A day after the Brazil midfielder announced he was ending his successful decade-long stint with Madrid to join Manchester United, his former teammate scored a beautiful goal and set up another to help the defending champions beat Celta Vigo 4-1 in the Spanish league on Saturday.

Modric's performance was worthy of applause even by Celta fans when the veteran was substituted in the second half.

Karim Benzema, Vinicius Junior and Federico Valverde also scored as Madrid comfortably followed up their come-from-behind win at promoted Almeria in their season opener.

Without Casemiro, the holding midfielder who had been one of the team's defensive anchors, coach Carlo Ancelotti set up the midfield with Eduardo Camavinga, newly signed Aurelien Tchouameni and Modric, who had not started against Almeria.

The 36-year-old Modric took over the midfield, controlling the pace both defensively and offensively.

He scored his goal with a well-placed shot into the top corner after a nifty move to get past a defender at the top of the area in the 41st minute at Balaidos Stadium.

Benzema, Madrid's top player last season, scored his first goal of this campaign by converting a 14th-minute penalty kick after video review spotted a handball by Celta midfielder Renato Tapia inside the area.

Celta equalised with another penalty kick less than 10 minutes later, with Iago Aspas finding the net from the spot after a handball by Madrid defender Eder Militao.

Modric sent a nice through ball to Vinicius Junior in a breakaway in the 56th, and the Brazil forward found the net after dribbling past Celta goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin.

Valverde closed the scoring after a pass by Vinicius Junior in the 66th.

Real Betis got their second victory in a row with Borja Iglesias converting a penalty kick in each half in a 2-1 win at Mallorca.

Vedat Muriqi scored for the hosts, who were looking for their first victory after opening with a draw at Athletic Bilbao.

Osasuna also needed a penalty kick in each half to win a second consecutive match to start their campaign.

After defeating Sevilla in the opener, Osasuna beat 10-man Cadiz 2-0 with Chimy Avila and Kike Garcia converting their shots from the penalty spot.

Cadiz, coming off an opening loss to Real Sociedad at home, had Tomas Alarcon sent off with a second yellow card in the 76th.

Australian Associated Press