Bale on target as Tottenham sweep past Wolfsberg

Soccer Football - Europa League - Round of 32 First Leg - Wolfsberger AC v Tottenham Hotspur - Puskas Arena, Budapest, Hungary - February 18, 2021 Tottenham Hotspur's Lucas Moura celebrates scoring their third goal with teammates [REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo]

Gareth Bale scored one goal and created another as Tottenham Hotspur enjoyed a 4-1 win in the first leg of their Europa League last-32 clash with Austrian side Wolfsberg on Thursday.

The Welshman, whose starts have mainly been limited to the Europa League since returning to Spurs on loan from Real Madrid in October, set up Son Heung-min for his side's opener.

Bale struck a classy second goal in the 28th minute before Lucas Moura made it 3-0 with a solo effort before halftime.

Soccer Football - Europa League - Round of 32 First Leg - Wolfsberger AC v Tottenham Hotspur - Puskas Arena, Budapest, Hungary - February 18, 2021 Tottenham Hotspur's Lucas Moura in action before scoring their third goal [REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo]

Wolfsberg, the home side despite having to play in the Puskas Arena in Budapest because of Austrian COVID-19 travel restrictions, made a match of it after the break with Michael Liendl pulling a goal back from the penalty spot.

Chris Wernitznig almost scored again for the hosts when his shot struck the underside of the crossbar and stayed out before Tottenham substitute Carlos Vinicius, who had replaced Son at halftime, touched home his side's fourth late on.