Real Madrid's Gareth Bale leaves match vs. Shakhtar Donetsk with apparent injury

Real Madrid midfielder Gareth Bale saw his Champions League group stage opener against Shakhtar Donetsk cut short, leaving the match just before the half-hour mark with an apparent injury.

Bale started in midfield behind striker Karim Benzema but went down with an injury in the 27th minute, holding the tip of his foot - perhaps trying to stretch out his calf.

He was replaced by Mateo Kovacic soon after.

The nature of his injury remains a doubt but initial reports said Bale did indeed suffer a problem with his calf. He went down holding his leg and then walked gingerly off the pitch, and went straight down the tunnel.