Real Madrid showcased their relentless dominance in LaLiga with a resounding 4-1 victory over Levante, marking a historic start to their season. This triumph not only secured their sixth consecutive win but also marked just the second time since the 1987/88 season that they’ve achieved such an impressive feat. The stakes were high for Levante, who arrived at the Santiago Bernabéu with a glimmer of hope, having claimed victory in three of their last eight encounters against the mighty Madrid side. However, that optimism quickly faded as the match unfolded.
From the outset, Levante displayed a fighting spirit, with Ivan Romero narrowly missing the target and Adrián de la Fuente failing to convert a clear chance from a corner. Despite their early efforts, it wasn’t long before Real Madrid found their rhythm, systematically dismantling Levante’s defense. Goalkeeper Mathew Ryan was called into action early, brilliantly saving a curling effort from Vinicius Junior, and then watching as Franco Mastantuono’s follow-up struck the crossbar from an offside position.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 28th minute when Vinicius, showcasing his exceptional skill, executed a stunning strike with the outside of his boot that nestled inside the far post. Energized by this breakthrough, Los Blancos swiftly doubled their lead as Mastantuono capped off a lightning-fast counterattack, slotting a precise shot into the top corner.
As the first half drew to a close, Real Madrid looked poised to add to their tally, but Ryan’s heroics denied them once again, as he stopped a low shot from Vinicius with a reflex save. However, hope flickered for Levante when fortune smiled upon them in the 54th minute. A heavy deflection off Romero’s shot led to a looped effort that sailed over Thibaut Courtois, with Etta Eyong applying the decisive touch to score his fourth goal of the league campaign.
Just as Levante began to believe they could mount a comeback, Kylian Mbappe dashed those dreams with a cheeky Panenka penalty in the 64th minute, punishing Unai Elgezabal for a reckless challenge. The game swiftly slipped away from Levante when Mbappe, displaying his trademark speed and precision, rounded Ryan to secure Real’s third goal, sealing the match with a flourish.
Vinicius nearly added insult to injury in stoppage time, attempting a delicate chip that went over the bar, but the scoreline remained unchanged. With this emphatic victory, Real Madrid not only extended their lead at the top of the LaLiga table but also celebrated their fourth consecutive away win, a remarkable achievement they hadn’t seen since May 2024. Meanwhile, Levante’s dismal form continues, having won just one of their last ten home encounters against Real, leaving them teetering at 16th place in the standings, desperately searching for a turnaround as they face the season’s challenges ahead.
