Madrid stunned by late Morales stunner
Real Madrid slumped to a 1-0 defeat at Levante thanks to a late Jose Luis Morales stunner, Los Blancos producing a toothless display and losing Eden Hazard ahead of a pivotal week.
Zinedine Zidane's men created the better chances in Valencia but were wasteful in front of goal, and Morales's glorious winner means Madrid heads into next weekend's El Clasico trailing leader Barcelona — which thrashed Eibar 5-0 earlier in the day — by two points and possibly without the injured Hazard.
Karim Benzema was particularly culpable in the first 45 minutes, spurning a glorious opportunity early on, while Hazard, who was withdrawn with what appeared to be a calf issue in the second period, also squandered a presentable chance after half-time.
Levante became a more prominent threat going forward after the interval and ultimately sealed an unlikely win through Morales's fierce effort 11 minutes from time, sending Madrid into the first leg of its UEFA Champions League Round of 16 encounter against Manchester City on the back of a woeful result.
Madrid rarely looked worried at the back in the first half, but going forward it lacked a killer instinct.
That was clearest in the 11th minute when Benzema should have put them in front, but he shot straight at Aitor Fernandez with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Fernandez was alert again just before half-time, this time parrying Luka Modric's stinging drive.
It was the same story after the break.
The previously ineffective Hazard had the opportunity to make a decisive impact in the 53rd minute when released through on goal, but he could not get the bouncing ball fully under control and his eventual effort was scuffed harmlessly at the approaching Fernandez.
Hazard had to be withdrawn in the 67th minute with an apparent calf strain seemingly suffered while attempting a backheel, and Levante netted soon after.
Morales chased a long ball down the left flank on the break and caught it sweetly as it bounced up, beating a flailing Thibaut Courtois at his near post with the venomous strike as Madrid dropped points for a second successive LaLiga game after last weekend's 2-2 draw with Celta Vigo.
