Daniel Wass gave the hosts the lead with 33 minutes played with a fine goal, but the Celta smiles were soon wiped clean.
It took Real just three minutes to reply, with the goal coming from a poor piece of play from Maxi on the edge of the Real box.
The striker surrendered possession and that proved to be disastrous for Real as Toni Kroos played an inch-perfect pass for Bale to slot past the onrushing Ruben Blanco to level the scores.
#CeltaRealMadrid #CELRMA #HalaMadrid Gareth Bale Goal - #CeltaVigo vs #RealMadrid 1-1 07/01/2018 https://t.co/6sAQBaDDLv
— #respect (@fotballrespect1) 7 January 2018
Not content with one, Bale was at the double soon afterwards as the Welshman drifted away from his marker to prod Isco's cross from deep past Ruben once again.
Bale x2 #CeltaRealMadrid #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/6WrHxWZsli
— Chopp (@JustChopp) 7 January 2018