Real Madrid continued their impressive run this season with a commanding 4-1 win against Levante on Tuesday, showcasing their attacking flair and solidifying their position at the top of La Liga. The match was highlighted by Vinicius Jr’s superb first-half performance and Kylian Mbappe’s clinical finishing in the second half, underlining the potency of Madrid’s forward line.
The victory means Real Madrid remains unbeaten after six matches, collecting 18 points and extending their lead in the league table to five points ahead of Barcelona, who have a game in hand. Meanwhile, Levante remains in a precarious position near the bottom of the table in 16th place with just four points to their name.
Vinicius Jr had a standout evening, addressing some recent criticism about his form under new manager Xabi Alonso. Prior to this game, Vinicius had not completed a full 90 minutes this season and had even started on the bench twice. However, against Levante, he demonstrated why he’s a key player for Madrid, enjoying the full match and even donning the captain’s armband in a show of trust from the coach.
The Brazilian kicked off his impact in spectacular style in the 28th minute. From the right side of the box, Vinicius unleashed a stunning strike with the outside of his right foot, the ball finding the net just inside the far post and setting the tone for the rest of the match. Eleven minutes later, he turned provider, sending a precise threaded pass down the right channel to Franco Mastantuono, who was quick to capitalize with a close-range finish during a rapid counter-attack, doubling Madrid’s lead before halftime.
Despite Madrid’s dominance, Levante’s goalkeeper Mathew Ryan put in a resilient performance, pulling off several key saves to keep the scoreline respectable. Ryan denied attempts from Vinicius, Federico Valverde, and Mbappe during the first 45 minutes, preventing what could have been an even larger deficit.
Levante did manage to spark a brief reprieve in the second half when Ivan Romero’s shot deflected off Dean Huijsen, lobbing over Thibaut Courtois. Etta Eyong was on hand to head the loose ball into the net, pulling Levante back into the game. However, the resurgence was short-lived as Mbappe took control later on.
The French superstar restored Madrid’s two-goal cushion in the 63rd minute by calmly converting a penalty with a cheeky chip down the middle after being fouled by Levante captain Unai Elgezabal in the box. Mbappe then wrapped up his brace just three minutes later, expertly finishing into an empty net after rounding the goalkeeper, following a perfectly timed long pass from Arda Guler.
Looking ahead, Real Madrid face a tough challenge away at city rivals Atletico Madrid this Saturday, a fixture that always carries extra intensity. Meanwhile, Levante will host Getafe in their next La Liga encounter, hoping to climb out of the relegation zone.
Coach Xabi Alonso was full of praise for Vinicius Jr after the match, emphasizing his decisive impact on the game. Alonso highlighted that the team is still in a phase of growth and construction. Though the season has just begun, he expressed optimism about building a solid foundation to compete effectively in the Champions League, La Liga, and Copa del Rey competitions.
He also noted the positive energy and connection among the players, acknowledging that while there is room for improvement, the team is certainly on the right track. This comprehensive victory against Levante provided a clear signal that Real Madrid’s ambitions for the season remain high and that their squad is steadily coming together under Alonso’s guidance.
