Gareth Bale hit the post with an effort from around 50 yards out during Real Madrid 's 1-0 defeat by Athletic Bilbao on Saturday evening but the question is : Did he mean it ? With the Spanish giants trailing 1-0 at San Mames , the Welshman produced what looked like an audacious repeat of David Beckham 's famous lob for Manchester United against Wimbledon back in 1996 . The ball flew through the air and caught Bilbao goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz completely off guard before dipping and smacking the post ; much to the disappointment of Javier Hernandez who raised his arms to celebrate before being beaten to the rebound by a defender . Gareth Bale hits the ball goalwards from around 50 yards out during Real Madrid 's defeat to Athletic Bilbao . Bale 's strike hits the post after catching Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz completely off guard . Javier Hernandez ( right ) puts his arms in the air to celebrate having thought Bale 's effort had found the net . Much debate arose on social media over whether Real Madrid 's wing wizard had meant to shoot or cross . Bale shoots at goal during a disappointing day for Carlo Ancelotti 's side who may have surrended top spot . The shot soon caused debate among fans on social media with some reckoning the kick was a cross which went horribly awry rather than a direct effort at goal . Whether Bale meant it or not , had the ball sailed in it would surely have been up there with some of the wideman 's finest strikes . Beckham 's successful attempt from such a distance is one of the finest , most memorable goals of the Premier League era . Aged just 21 , Beckham received the ball in his own half and spotted Wimbledon goalkeeper Neil Sullivan off his line before producing a stunning strike from the halfway line which flew perfectly into the back of the net . Meanwhile , defeat for Carlo Ancelotti 's side on Saturday means Barcelona can leapfrog Los Blancos at the top of the La Liga table with a win over Rayo Vallecano on Sunday . David Beckham scored from the halfway line for Manchester United against Wimbledon back in 1996 . Wimbledon goalkeeper Neil Sullivan was caught off guard and watches on as the ball sails into the net . Beckham celebrates after scoring one of the most memorable strikes of the Premier League era .
Gareth Bale struck the post with audacious effort from 50 yards out . Debate arose on social media over whether the winger was meant to shoot . Effort resembled David Beckham 's strike against Real Madrid 's in 1996 .