Real Madrid delivered a composed, dominant, and ultimately decisive performance to defeat Levante 2–0, controlling large portions of the game and showcasing their depth, patience, and attacking quality.
While the scoreline may appear modest, the match itself was one-sided for long spells, with Madrid dictating tempo, territory, and chances from start to finish.
From the opening minutes, Real Madrid asserted authority. They monopolised possession early, exchanging short, sharp passes and pinning Levante deep inside their own half. Levante actually had the very first chance of the match inside the opening minute, but Karl Etta Eyong squandered a golden opportunity by firing well wide when through on goal. That miss would prove costly, as Madrid steadily tightened their grip on proceedings.
Madrid’s midfield, anchored by Aurélien Tchouaméni and Federico Valverde, controlled the rhythm of the game, recycling possession and probing for openings. Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior frequently drifted into dangerous areas, while Kylian Mbappé remained a constant threat with his movement, pace, and willingness to shoot from distance. Despite overwhelming possession at one point reaching over 80 percent Madrid struggled to break down a stubborn Levante defence in the first half.
Levante defended deep and relied on counterattacks and set pieces to relieve pressure. Pablo Martínez Andrés and Kareem Tunde both attempted long-range efforts, but their shots either flew wide or were comfortably dealt with.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, created a steady stream of half-chances. Mbappé fired wide from the edge of the box, Bellingham saw efforts blocked, and Gonzalo García forced Mathew Ryan into a sharp save with a close-range header. Yet, despite their dominance, the first half ended goalless, largely due to Levante’s resilience and Ryan’s confident goalkeeping.
The second half began with tactical changes that immediately shifted the momentum further in Madrid’s favour. The introduction of Arda Güler and Franco Mastantuono added creativity and unpredictability in the final third. Madrid came out sharper, quicker, and more direct, forcing Levante into deeper defensive positions.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 58th minute. After Arda Güler was brought down in the penalty area, the referee pointed to the spot, though the decision required VAR confirmation. Once upheld, Kylian Mbappé stepped up with trademark composure and calmly rolled his penalty straight down the middle, sending Mathew Ryan the wrong way and giving Real Madrid a deserved 1–0 lead.
With the deadlock broken, the match opened up. Levante were forced to push forward in search of an equaliser, but this only created more space for Madrid to exploit.
Vinícius Júnior and Bellingham both went close, while Mbappé continued to torment the defence with his intelligent movement. Ryan, to Levante’s credit, kept the scoreline respectable with a string of outstanding saves, denying Vinícius from point-blank range and producing a magnificent stop to keep out Bellingham’s powerful header.
The decisive second goal arrived in the 65th minute and came from a set piece. Arda Güler delivered a perfectly weighted corner into the box, where Raúl Asencio rose highest and powered a precise header inside the left post. It was a moment of quality and timing that underlined Madrid’s superiority and effectively sealed the contest at 2–0.
From that point on, Real Madrid were in full control. They continued to create chances, striking the crossbar through Franco Mastantuono and forcing Ryan into several more saves. Levante tried to respond with substitutions and sporadic attacks, but they struggled to break through Madrid’s disciplined defensive structure. Shots on target heavily favoured Madrid, reflecting their dominance across the pitch.
In the closing stages, Madrid managed the game expertly. They slowed the tempo, retained possession, and limited Levante to speculative efforts. Vinícius and Bellingham both had late chances to extend the lead, but Ryan again stood firm. When the referee finally blew for full time, the result confirmed what had been evident throughout the match Real Madrid were in complete control.
Overall, this was a professional and mature performance from Real Madrid. While they had to be patient, their quality eventually told.
Mbappé’s calm penalty and Asencio’s commanding header were the decisive moments in a match that highlighted Madrid’s squad depth, tactical flexibility, and ability to break down stubborn opposition. Levante showed defensive spirit and moments of resistance, but ultimately they were outclassed by a side that never lost control.
