Inter beat Real Madrid on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the Guinness International Champions Cup.
Their US campaign kicked off in Berkeley California, though Carlo Ancelotti was without many of his star names so soon after the World Cup.
Bale was one of the most senior members of the starting XI and his looping header thumped the crossbar after just three minutes.
Inter beat Real Madrid on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the Guinness International Champions Cup.
Their US campaign kicked off in Berkeley California, though Carlo Ancelotti was without many of his star names so soon after the World Cup.
Bale was one of the most senior members of the starting XI and his looping header thumped the crossbar after just three minutes.
Bale did get his goal, given far too much room to run straight at the defence and unleash a swerving screamer from distance that left Samir Handanovic rooted to the spot.
The Nerazzurri took a while to get going until Jonathan nodded off target on the counter, then Handanovic palmed a Bale free kick round the post.
Jonathan’s set piece was whipped into the box, but none of his teammates could make the most of it, while Joel Obi and Ruben Botta ballooned over.
Straight after the restart Dodo was furious at a Raul de Tomas challenge, reacting with a shove that sparked a small melee. Danilo D’Ambrosio’s finish was too weak, but Yann M’Vila saw a wonderful curler fingertipped out from under the bar.
Inter were awarded a penalty when Sobrinho nudged Nemanja Vidic as he jumped to reach a cross. Mauro Icardi kept his cool to convert with a delightful Panenka-style dink.
The Nerazzurri looked stronger as the game wore on and forced a desperate double save out of Jesus Fernandez on Vidic and the Marco Andreolli follow-up.
Juan Pablo Carrizo was also called into action, smothering a Mascarell effort, but the tie ended all square after 90 minutes.
In the rules of this tournament, the teams must decide a winner on penalties: the victor getting two points and the losing side one.
Carrizo had a great start, pushing Isco’s spot-kick on to the upright. Vidic and Lucas converted, but Yuto Nagatomo’s attempt was parried.
M’Vila fired straight on to the post, but Carrizo stuck out a foot to save from Illaramendi and Mascarell ballooned over the bar.
Icardi converted the decisive kick low into the near bottom corner, giving Inter victory in the shoot-out and two points.
Manchester United lead Group A with three points after beating Roma 3-2.
Real Madrid 1-1 Inter (2-3 on pens)
Scorers: Bale 11 (R), Icardi pen 68 (I)
Penalties: Isco (R, saved), Vidic (I, scored), Lucas (R, scored), Nagatomo (I, saved), Nacho (R, scored), M’Vila (I, missed), Illaramendi (R, saved), Juan Jesus (I, scored), Mascarell (R, missed), Icardi (I, scored)
Real Madrid: Diego López (Jesus Fernandez 46); Carvajal, Pepe (Mascarell 65), Nacho, Diego Llorente; Illarramendi, Medrán (Derik 65), Isco; Lucas Vázquez, Raúl de Tomas (Sobrinho 53), Bale (M Llorente 53)
Inter: Handanovic (Carrizo 63); Vidic, Ranocchia (Andreolli 63), Juan Jesus; D’Ambrosio, Jonathan (Bonazzoli 90), Kuzmanovic (M’Vila 63), Obi (Krhin 78), Dodò (Nagatomo 78); Botta (Laxalt 78), Icardi