Real Madrid defeated Levante 2‑0 at the Santiago Bernabéu, with Kylian Mbappé opening the scoring and academy graduate Raúl Asencio adding a second. The victory lifts Madrid’s La Liga points total, quiets a hostile home crowd, and marks Mbappé’s 12th league goal of the season, reinforcing his role as the team’s decisive attacker.
Match Overview
The Bernabéu atmosphere was unusually tense as fans expressed frustration over recent draws. Levante entered the game fighting relegation, while Madrid sought to close the gap on league leaders. Despite early jeers, Madrid secured control through superior possession and precise passing.
Key Moments
Mbappé’s Opening Goal
In the 23rd minute, Vinícius Júnior’s run forced a clearance that landed at Mbappé’s feet. The French forward struck a low‑driven shot into the near post, beating goalkeeper Álvaro Ramos. It was Mbappé’s 12th league goal and the first Real Madrid player to reach double‑digit goals after joining mid‑season.
Asencio’s Second‑Half Finish
The turning point arrived in the 57th minute when Luka Modrić delivered a through‑ball to 19‑year‑old Raúl Asencio. The academy graduate calmly placed the ball into the bottom corner, doubling Madrid’s lead and cementing the win.
Statistical Snapshot
- Possession: Real Madrid 58% – Levante 42%
- Shots (on target): Real Madrid 14 (7) – Levante 6 (2)
- Pass Accuracy: Real Madrid 86% – Levante 78%
- Corners: Real Madrid 5 – Levante 3
Context and Implications
Real Madrid
- Title Race: The three points keep Madrid within striking distance of the leaders, but consistency remains essential.
- Mbappé’s Role: His goal underscores his growing importance as a clutch scorer in critical matches.
- Squad Depth: Asencio’s contribution highlights emerging depth on the wings, offering options amid injuries to key attackers.
Levante
- Relegation Fight: The defeat widens the gap to safety, turning upcoming fixtures into must‑win encounters.
- Managerial Outlook: Coach Sergio Araujo must balance defensive solidity with greater offensive creativity to secure points.
Future Outlook
Madrid can build on the confidence generated by Mbappé’s striking form and Asencio’s breakthrough performance as they target the next La Liga challenges. Levante must regroup quickly, using the setback as motivation to intensify their push for survival in the remaining weeks of the season.
