Sixth win in six games: Real Madrid remain unbeaten against Levante. Vinicius Junior set the Royal’s next three points on course with a dream goal, while Mbappé dashed the home side’s comeback hopes with a double strike.
Five wins from five games, plus success in their Champions League opener against Olympique Marseille: there was no way past Real Madrid before the game. Xabi Alonso made four changes from the last league game, a 2-0 win over RCD Espanyol Barcelona: among others, he brought in Arda Güler in attack, while Dean Huijsen returned to the back four after serving a red card suspension.
Despite Madrid’s superiority, it was the Royal’s penalty area that was under fire in the opening minutes. Romero (4th minute) and de la Fuente (13th minute) both failed to score from close range, with Courtois watching the attempts miss the goal by centimeters.
Vinicius Jr. with a silky outside-of-the-foot finish
But then Vinicius Junior’s moment arrived, which had already been foreshadowed by his powerful shot against Ryan (21st minute): the Brazilian stroked the ball from the right side of the penalty area with the outside of his foot in Quaresma style into the left corner, leaving the Levante keeper with no chance this time (28th minute).
Exactly ten minutes later, Vinicius Jr. was involved again when he set up Mastantuono on the counterattack, who powerfully scored his first goal in a Real Madrid shirt into the top right corner. Because Vinicius Jr. was denied by a great save from Ryan from seven meters out shortly afterwards (41′), the score remained 2-0 at halftime.
Mbappé’s double strike stifles Levante’s hopes
Was that the decisive moment? Not at all, because Levante started bravely again and this time were rewarded: a deflected Romero shot sailed over Courtois and Etta Eyong nodded in the goal to make it 2-1 (54′).
The home side made it exciting again, but they hadn’t counted on Kylian Mbappé. First, the Frenchman won a penalty himself after a lightning-fast dribble and coolly chipped it into the middle of the goal (64′), then just two minutes later, Real’s top scorer ran onto a through ball from Arda Güler, rounded Ryan at speed and sealed the deal with his double strike.
Because Mbappé missed his hat trick (76′) and substitute Bellingham put the ball over the bar (80′), the score remained 4-1, meaning that the Blancis continue to lead La Liga flawlessly.
On Saturday (2 p.m.), Levante will be the visitors to Getafe. Real will be in action a good two hours later (4:15 p.m.) away to city rivals Atlético Madrid.
