Levante Bury Real Madrid 2-1 At Bernabeu

By Nigel Philip

Real Madrid scored to end their four-game goal drought, but could not avert another humiliating defeat as they lost 2-1 to Levante at the Bernabeu on Saturday.

The defeat represents Real Madrid’s fourth and the fifth time of dropping points in nine La Liga games as the Los Blancos continue to struggle in the post-Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane era.

Julen Lopetegui’s side now sits fifth in the pecking order with 14 points with Paco López’s side also lying seventh.

Levante broke the virginity of the game in the 6th minute with Jose Morales receiving a killer pass to go one-on-one with Thibaut Courtois before sending the ball into the back of the net.

Marco Asensio had a goalbound shot blocked in the 10th minute, and referee Guillermo Cuadra Fernandez awarded the visitors a penalty after the VAR confirmed Rafael Verane's handball. Marti Roger converted the kick with an unstoppable shot into the right side of the goal in the 13th minute.

Sergio Ramos crashed a header off the crossbar after meeting a corner kick inside the six-yard box, and Marco Asensio had a goal ruled out for offside in the 18th minute before Oier Olazábal Paredes stopped Lucas’ shot with a brilliant save in the 20th minute.

Sergio Ramos headed a corner kick into Oier’s hands in the 22nd minute, Marcelo had a goalbound shot blocked in the 26th minute, eight minutes before Sergio Ramos headed another kick into the crossbar.

Oier brilliantly stopped Mariano from heading into the roof in the 41st minute, Lucas shot into Oier’s hands in the 43rd minute, two minutes, after which Isco closed the first half by heading an inch-perfect cross over the bar.

Oier saved Gareth Bale’s 66th-minute free kick, and Marcelo reduced the deficit for the hosts in the 72nd minute by latching on to Karim Benzema’s pass to shoot into the net from close range, before Mariano had a goal disallowed for offside in the 88th minute.