Real Madrid edged past Levante 2-1 away from home in La Liga on Sunday night courtesy of two penalty decisions going their way, the second of which sparked controversy.
Karim Benzema opened the scoring from the spot in the 43rd minute before Roger Marti equalised on the hour mark.
The visitors were awarded another penalty when Casemiro went down cheaply and substitute Gareth Bale converted in the 78th minute.
Here, we look at the talking points from the encounter.
REAL LEV ON THE EDGE
Paco Lopez would’ve walked down the Ciutat de Valencia tunnel at full-time bemused as his side fashioned the best chances but were left empty-handed. In the first half, they had more shots than their illustrious guests and had struck the upright twice, yet a Benzema penalty – awarded by VAR for Antonio Luna’s hand ball inside the area – meant Los Blancos had the upper hand at the break.
Apart from the Frenchman’s goal, a run into the box from Vinicius Junior before he seemed to get caught in two minds only to squander the opportunity altogether was their only significant opening in the first half. Levante on the other hand were offered up some glorious chances courtesy of Madrid’s lax defending.
Poor marking from a corner saw Marti steal in but his effort from close range crashed off the upright. A few minutes later, Madrid failed to clear their lines from a deep free-kick and after several ricochets, the ball dropped to Rober Pier, but he blazed his shot over the frame of the goal. On the stroke of half-time – just after Benzema’s opener – Marti hit the post again, this time from a one-on-one with Thibaut Courtois.
The striker was finally rewarded for his efforts in the second half as he grabbed the equaliser on the hour mark. However, a controversial Madrid penalty saw Bale dispatch the winner from the spot after Casemiro flung himself to the deck under minimal contact – if any.
NOT A HAPPY CAMP?
Sergio Ramos’ suspension meant Nacho was drafted in to replace the Madrid skipper in the heart of defence while Marcos Llorente missed out with injury. However, there was more team news that drew eyeballs. Sergio Reguilon was once again preferred to Marcelo and the decorated Brazilian can’t be taking that too well. Bale had to make do with a substitute role too with Lucas Vazquez starting instead.
The Welshman did come off the bench and score the decisive goal from the spot but refused to celebrate and when Vazquez jogged over to congratulate him, putting his hands on his backs, they were quickly brushed away by Bale as he made his way back to the centre circle, head bowed. Some bad blood between the two players or was Bale’s discontent directed at Santiago Solari instead?
Then of course there’s the matter of Isco’s absence. No, not from the starting XI, that’s come to be expected – but from the squad entirely. Isco scored in each of Madrid’s last three trips to Levante and his absence, despite being fit, was jarring.
NACHO’S POOR DISPLAY
After a couple of rash challenges, Nacho was walking a tight rope and was booked in the 28th minute for a cynical foul on Jose Morales, blocking off the striker before he could run clean through on goal. However, he managed to last until the 86th minute before receiving his marching orders for bringing down second half substitute Raphael Dwamena who spun away from him.
The centre-back endured a poor showing with his ability to pick up cards being the only aspect of Ramos’ game that he was able to emulate. He got sucked in by Marti’s clever movement just before the break as the striker came short before spinning away and running in behind instead, only to be denied by the post.
He wasn’t to be denied in the second half though when he again got the better of the defender who wasn’t quick enough to track him, ending up on the wrong side as he stabbed home a cross from Morales.
