Squads
Real Madrid started with Courtois in goal, supported by Bellingham, Camavinga, Vinícius Jr., Valverde, Mbappé, Tchouaméni, Gonzalo, Asencio, Carreras and Huijsen.
Levante lined up with Ryan as goalkeeper alongside Matturro, Dela, Romero, P. Martínez, Vencedor, Etta Eyong, Toljan, Manu Sánchez, C. Álvarez and K. Tunde.
Before kickoff, both teams were announced to applause, except for Vinícius Jr., who was loudly booed by the crowd. Jude Bellingham also received some whistles.
First Half
Levante started aggressively and created an early chance after just 45 seconds, but the shot went wide. Throughout the first half, loud whistling followed every touch by Bellingham, Valverde, Asencio and Vinícius Jr., with parts of the crowd chanting for Vinícius to be substituted.
Real Madrid nearly took the lead after a brilliant pass from Tchouaméni sent Mbappé through on goal, but a defender managed to deflect the ball over the crossbar. Levante responded with several dangerous attacks, including a free kick close to the box in the 13th minute that struck the wall before being blasted high over the goal.
Madrid had their best chance of the half in the 33rd minute when Mbappé received a pass from Asencio but missed the target. Levante continued to threaten, forcing Courtois into action with an important save late in the half. The first half ended goalless despite chances at both ends.
Second Half
At halftime, Real Madrid made changes, bringing on Arda Güler and Mastantuono.
Madrid increased the pressure immediately. Tchouaméni shot just over the bar in the 50th minute, followed by a big chance when Mbappé played Arda Güler through, but Levante’s goalkeeper saved well.
In the 57th minute, Mbappé was fouled while dribbling past defenders. After a VAR review, a penalty was awarded. Mbappé calmly converted in the 58th minute to make it 1–0, continuing Real Madrid’s trend of winning the most penalties in La Liga this season.
Real stayed dominant, and in the 65th minute, Asencio scored with a powerful header from a corner, doubling Madrid’s lead to 2–0. Arda Güler impressed throughout the half, creating chances, taking set pieces, and forcing several saves, including a long-range shot that was tipped away by the goalkeeper.
Vinícius Jr. continued to be loudly booed by parts of the crowd and responded by gesturing for the fans to make more noise.
Late substitutions included David Alaba, who made his first appearance at the Bernabéu after injury, receiving applause. Madrid nearly added a third when Arda Güler missed by inches in the final minutes.
Full Time
The match ended Real Madrid 2–0 Levante, with goals from Mbappé (penalty) and Asencio, a strong second-half performance, and an eventful atmosphere at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Next up for Los Blancos is the Champions League Match against AS Monaco on Tuesday the 20th of January and Levante will play Elche in a La Liga Game on the 23th of January.
