La Liga - Levante 1 Real Madrid 2 - Match Report
VAR to the rescue as penalties from Benzema & Bale hand Los Blancos 2-1 win over Levante
Real Madrid returned to winning ways in LaLiga on Sunday with a 2-1 defeat of Levante, as they made the most of two key interventions from VAR at Ciutat de Valencia.
Roger Marti looked to have earned a point after cancelling out Karim Benzema's first-half penalty, but a second spot-kick, also awarded after help from the video assistant, allowed Gareth Bale to secure the victory before each side had a player sent off.
Santiago Solari named a strong side despite two games against Barcelona to come in the next week, evidently eager for a response after their shock defeat to Girona last time out.
The best of the early chances fell to Levante, with Roger turning the ball against the post from a corner before Robert Pier fired over the bar after Madrid failed to clear a free-kick.
Madrid were handed their breakthrough 43 minutes in, though, when Enis Bardhi was penalised for handball after a VAR review, allowing Benzema to sweep home the opening goal from the spot.
Levante nearly equalised immediately, with Roger this time hitting the left-hand post after evading Nacho Fernandez, and Thibaut Courtois denied the forward again with a low stop moments after the restart.
But Roger finally found the net on the hour mark, sliding in front of Nacho on the sodden pitch to steer Jose Luis Morales' low cross from the left just beyond the reach of Courtois and into the right-hand corner.
However, Casemiro went to ground after Cheick Doukoure appeared to make the slightest contact with his shin with a rash attempted clearance, and Bale confidently dispatched the penalty once referee Ignacio Iglesias Villanueva was happy to let the call stand.
Nacho saw red when he earned a second booking four minutes from the end, but Madrid held out under some sustained late pressure before Ruben Rochina was also dismissed after collecting a second yellow card for dissent, despite having been substituted.
Goals/ Highlights!
Clearance! Real Madrid, reduced to ten men with Nacho handed a second yellow for a rash challenge! Dani Carvajal heads off the line to deny Levante a late equaliser! What defending!
Goal! Var to the rescue for Real Madrid, Casimiro was bundled down in the box, although it looks dubious! Substitute Bale steps up and rolls the ball into the net! 2-1 Los Blancos!
Goal! Levante equalise! Roger with a fine strike! 1-1! Game on!
Chance! Vinicius springs away on the counter! The youngster curls his shot just wide!
GOAL! VAR Drama! Levante man Enis Bardhi is judged to handle the ball in the box! Penalty given! Karim Benzema steps up and fires it into the right hand corner! Los Blancos take the lead, against the run of play!
Chance! Levante go close again! Roberto Suárez cracks a shot just over from close range!
Chance! Roger arrives at the back post the Levante Strikers effort rebounds off the upright!
Peep! We are underway!
Live Updates
Preamble
Now for Levante! Keep an eye out for striker Roger, he has scored nine goals in La Liga this season!
ALINEACIÓN | ¡Este es nuestro once para enfrentarnos al @realmadrid! #LevanteRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/fMy1GZoNyb — Levante UD 🐸 (@LevanteUD) February 24, 2019
Team News! First Up Real Madrid! Gareth Bale makes the bench, Vinicius Junior gets the nod in attack. Toni Kroos will anchor the midfield.
📝 Tonight's starting XI! #RMLiga | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/meAEIEB2DB — Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) February 24, 2019
The Levante boys have arrived!
Nuevo desafío 🔜 #LevanteRealmadrid #LaLiga pic.twitter.com/6hwBGCk8Ao — Levante UD 🐸 (@LevanteUD) February 24, 2019
Good evening! Welcome to the Live Updates of Levante Vs Real Madrid in La Liga, can Los Blancos keep up with second place Athletico Madrid with a win tonight against Levante? Their opponents are no pushovers and are currently on a four-game undefeated streak in all competitions. As ever, join me for all the build-up, Team News & Goals as they go in from the big game!
