Real Madrid travelled to Levante on Saturday needing the three points to stay in touch with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid at the top of La Liga.
Both sides had their moments in an entertaining first period, but the score remained level at the interval.
Baba Diawara sent Levante into the lead in the early stages of the second half, but Sergio Ramos headed Real Madrid level moments later.
Levante moved ahead five minutes from time courtesy of a strike from Nabil El Zhar, but the scoring was not over as Alvaro Morata put Madrid level, before Cristiano Ronaldo won it in the fourth minute of additional time.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our penultimate live La Liga commentary of the evening comes from Valencia as Levante welcome Real Madrid. The home side will enter the match full of confidence having remained unbeaten in their last five matches in the league. They have collected 10 points from their seven matches, a total that has left them in ninth position.
Madrid, meanwhile, have taken 16 points from their seven matches – hardly disastrous form – but last weekend’s 1-0 defeat to Atletico in the Bernabeu has left them five points off the pace, which is being set by Atletico and Barcelona. Only three points will do this evening as Carlo Ancelotti’s side look to stay in touch.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Madrid have won four of the last five matches, but Levante did pick up a 1-0 win on their own patch in September 2011. As mentioned, Madrid were 2-1 winners in this stadium last season, while they thumped Levante 5-1 in the Bernabeu in April.
TEAMS:
LEVANTE XI: Navas; Navarro, Juanfran, Lopez, Rodas; Diop, Simao, Xumetra, Garcia; Ivanschitz, Diawara
REAL MADRID XI: Lopez; Arbeloa, Varane, Ramos, Coentrao; Khedira, Modric; Ronaldo, Isco, Di Maria; Benzema
So there we have it. No real surprises in the Levante XI this evening with Baba Diawara and Ivanschitz continuing in attack, but Nabil El Zhar drops to the bench. Real Madrid, meanwhile, drop Pepe and Marcelo, with Varane and Arbeloa both coming into the team. Right, the away side get the action underway on this warm evening in Spain. Let's hope for entertainment.
No Gareth Bale in the Real Madrid XI this evening with the Welshman still injured. It hasn't been the start that he would have wanted to his career in Spain. Is this must-win for Real Madrid? Quite probably. They have made a bright start with Coentrao winning a free kick down the left following a late challenge from Juanfran, but the resulting set piece comes to nothing.
It must be said that the atmosphere is sensational inside the stadium this evening with the home supporters turning up in their numbers. The noise raises as Diawara threatens to dart beyond the Madrid defence, but Ramos is across to clear at the vital moment. Diawara has an effort from distance moments later, but it was always rising over Lopez's crossbar.
Nervy moment for the Levante stopper Navas as he is closed down by Ronaldo, but he does manage to clear at the vital moment. No real chances for either side in the opening six minutes, but Levante have not sat back in the early stages. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if we indeed have one - could be vital in this type of match.
Just a few signs that the away side are starting to take control of the possession with Khedira and Modric seeing plenty of the ball in the middle of the park. A loose pass from the latter does present a chance for Xumetra to run into the Madrid box, but Ramos is across to make the challenge. Good tempo to the early stages in Valencia. I have a feeling we could be in for a cracker.
Levante want a penalty as Coentrao appears to handle inside the box, but it would have been a harsh decision with the Portuguese's hand down by his side. The away side break down the other end with Ronaldo moments later, but he loses out to Diop, who has been one of La Liga's best players in the early stages of the new season.
Again it's really bright work from Diawara as the Levante striker drives past two defenders before threatening to move past the challenge of Ramos, but the Spaniard fells the pacey forward. However, much to the frustration of the home supporters, the referee is not interested in awarding the free kick. Plenty of intensity about Levante in the opening 13 minutes of football.
Xumetra again tries his luck for the home side as he collects possession outside the box before attempting to bend one into the top corner, but it was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Not too much for the away supporters to get excited about at the moment with Ronaldo and Benzema struggling for possession. Plenty of attacking intent from the home side thus far.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments as the challenges continue to arrive from both sides. Real Madrid force a corner moments later following bright work from Di Maria, but the set piece is cleared by Diop. Modric dances into the box moments later, but again the challenge is made.
Half-chance for Ramos as the Madrid defender meets a corner from Isco, but his header is straight into the arms of the goalkeeper. Just a few signs that the away side are starting to take control of proceedings as they enjoy possession in the Levante half. Benzema has a strike on goal moments later, but Navas collects with ease.
Another penalty shout for the home side as Diawara goes down inside the box, but the referee is not interested as Varane comes away with the ball. Ruben looks for the run of Diawara once more moments later, but the offside flag is raised. The Levante forward has looked the most likely in the opening 22 minutes of football. Still goalless in Valencia.
Another half-chance for the away side as Ramos meets a cross from Di Maria, but he can only flick his effort over the crossbar from inside the box. Not too much for the home supporters to get excited about in the last couple of moments with Carlo Ancelotti's side starting to control the tempo in the final third.
Arbeloa wants a penalty as the right-back goes down inside the box, but the referee is not interested. I have seen them given that is for certain. Levante's sixth foul of the match presents Madrid with a free kick down the right moments later, but Di Maria's delivery is cleared by Diop. Still goalless with 26 minutes on the clock.
Di Maria has the opportunity to deliver another set piece from the same area moments later, but again it is not up to the required standard. The away side are in control of the possession, but they are yet to really test Navas. Even though it is still early days, you just get the feeling that Real Madrid need to pick up all three points this evening.
The free-kick count continues to rise as Rodas fells Benzema outside the box. Ronaldo stands over it this time, but his effort is pushed wide of the post by Navas. The pressure continues as Isco delivers a dangerous corner into the box, but Diop, who has been everywhere thus far, clears the danger. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining.
Levante's threat continues to arrive down the right with Rodas and Diawara both causing problems, but Varane has been sensational thus far with the Frenchman on hand to quell the danger on a number of occasions. Isco delivers another cross into the Levante box moments later, but again it is too close to Navas.
It's bright work from Diawara as the Levante striker finds some space outside the box before attempting to fire his effort into the top corner, but it was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. He could really do with a goal, but he has caused Madrid all sorts of problems in the opening 35 minutes this evening.
The referee has done well to let the match flow in the last couple of moments with the challenges flying in from both sides. Ronaldo combines with Benzema for the away side moments later, but he can only fire his effort high and wide of the crossbar. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining with the two sides still level at 0-0.
A deep free kick into the Madrid box threatens to cause the away side a problem as Rodas meets the cross from Xumetra, but Lopez is on hand to collect at the vital moment. Levante are on the attack with Pedro Lopez moments later, but once more the danger is quelled. Madrid just cannot get out of their half at the moment.
It's wonderful work from Madrid as Isco combines with Benzema before driving a low cross towards Di Maria, but the former had moved into an offside position. Diawara's physical presence continues to cause Madrid problems down the other end, but his final touch has let him down thus far. Evenly-contested 42 minutes of football in Valencia.
CHANCE! Wonderful opportunity for Modric to open the scoring as the Croatian collects a loose ball inside the box, but he can only poke his effort wide of the post. That has been about as good as it has got for the away side thus far. Little over one minute of normal time remaining in the first period.
CHANCE! Another chance for the away side in the latter stages of the half as Ronaldo finds some space inside the box, but his low effort is saved by Navas. Khedira picks up the first yellow card of the match moments later as the German fells Xumetra.
Lopez is called into action down the other end as Diawara thumps an effort from outside the box, but the Madrid stopper is on hand to push over his own crossbar. End-to-end football in the latter stages of the first period as Diop strikes wide moments later.
HALF-TIME: Levante 0-0 Real Madrid
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 0-0. No-one expected it to be straightforward for the away side this evening and that has proved to be the case thus far. Both teams have had their chances in an evenly-contested 45 minutes of football in Valencia.
STATISTICS: Real Madrid have dominated the possession with 67%, while they have had six attempts to Levante's four. The standout player has been Diawara, however, with the Levante striker causing the Madrid defence a number of problems. Just the one yellow card, meanwhile, with Khedira entering the book late in the half.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench in the shape of David Barral, Nabil El Zhar and Sergio Pinto. Meanwhile, Real Madrid have the likes of Jese Rodriguez, Alvaro Morata and Marcelo in reserve. It would not be a surprise to see changes in the early stages of the second period.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Just a reminder that following this match we have action from Barcelona as the Spanish champions welcome Real Valladolid to the Camp Nou. Right, the away side get the second 45 minutes underway in Valencia. Let's hope for goals in the second period.
No changes for either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise, but it would not be a surprise to see changes made in the next 20 minutes or so if the score remains level. Madrid have started the second period brightly with Coentrao seeing plenty of the ball down the left, but Diawara remains a threat for Levante with his pace.
CHANCE! Wonderful opportunity for the home side as Diop strikes an effort from outside the box, but Lopez is on hand to make a fine save. Another half-chance arrives moments later as Rodas meets a cross from Simao, but his header is high of the crossbar. How are Levante not ahead?!
Madrid's frustration continues to grow as Modric fells Diawara just inside the Levante half. The free kick is played short to Diawara, but the striker runs into traffic. Ronaldo attempts to take matters into his own hands down the other end, but the Portuguese loses possession. It has not quite happened for the former Manchester United striker thus far.
CHANCE! Suddenly Madrid burst into life as Isco dances into the box, the ball is cleared to Ronaldo, who strikes an effort towards goal, but it just moves wide of the post. Who would bet against him scoring the winner? I would be astounded if this match ended goalless with both teams attempting to force the issue.
Ronaldo is involved moments later as he meets a through ball from Isco, but he had just moved into an offside position. Both sides have a number of substitutions warming up, which is not much of a surprise. Still goalless with little over 30 minutes of football remaining. Madrid simply cannot afford to drop points this evening.
GOAL! Levante 1-0 Real Madrid (Diawara)
Levante take the lead with 57 minutes on the clock as Diawara collects a pass from Ruben before placing his effort into the back of the net for his first goal of the season. Real Madrid are in trouble here there is no question about that.
You cannot say that it hasn't been coming. Levante have arguably been the better side this evening. The changes will occur for the away side with Marcelo preparing to enter proceedings. Alvaro Morata is also being put through his paces. Benzema has once more struggled to influence proceedings.
The change is made as Marcelo replaces Coentrao, which is a strange change. The Portuguese has been caught out of position, but so have a number of his teammates. One-way traffic from the away side in the last couple of minutes as they search for the equaliser. Any sign of Gareth Bale anywhere?!
GOAL! Levante 1-1 Real Madrid (Ramos)
A routine set piece brings Real Madrid level as Ramos meets a cross from Di Maria. Just what Carlo Ancelotti would have wanted. What a final 30 minutes we have on our hands. I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals.
Just a reminder that following this match we have action from the Camp Nou as Barcelona welcome Valladolid. It is difficult to imagine that the home side will not pick up all the points and therefore Real Madrid need to win this evening. Ronaldo has a long-range strike moments later, but Navas collects.
Another half-chance for Ramos as the Madrid skipper meets a cross from Di Maria, but it just moves wide of the post. Again Ramos has a header moments later, but it hits the back of his own teammate Di Maria. Marcelo parades down the left before finding Benzema in the next attack, but Diop manages to clear at the vital moment.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Di Maria as the Argentine finds some space inside the Levante box, but his effort is into the side netting. Xumetra has an effort down the other end from distance, but it was always rising high and wide of the crossbar. End-to-end football with 69 minutes on the clock.
Levante make their first change of the match as Xumetra is replaced by El Zhar, who will be asked to provide some width in the latter stages of this La Liga affair. Real Madrid make a change moments later as Alvaro Morata enters proceedings in place of Isco, who is not too happy about the decision.
CHANCE! How are Madrid not ahead?! Incredible chance for Marcelo as the Brazilian is found by Morata inside the box, but he fires it high and wide of the crossbar. I think that has landed somewhere in the centre of Valencia. All one-way traffic as Madrid continue to force the issue.
Another half-chance for Ramos as the Madrid skipper meets a cross from Di Maria, but his header is just wide of the post. He is their main threat at the moment, which is a bit of a worry. Slight problem for El Zhar moments later, but the Levante midfielder does return to the pitch after taking one in the stomach.
Levante look to their bench for the second time this evening as David Barral enters the field to replace Diawara, who leaves the field to a standing ovation. Hopefully that will hand him confidence for the rest of the season. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining with the two sides still locked at 1-1.
Madrid make their second change of the match as Jese Rodriguez enters the field in place of Benzema, who has again struggled to influence proceedings this evening. Ronaldo attempts to dance into the Levante box moments later, but Navarro is on hand with the challenge.
Opportunity for Ronaldo to test Navas as the Portuguese stands over a free kick outside the box, but his effort smashes into the wall, which is well-received by the home supporters. You just get the feeling that there will be a couple more chances in the final 10 minutes of football. Can Levante hold on?
Slight problem for Diop moments later as the Levante midfielder falls to the ground following a challenge with Khedira, but he is able to continue following a period of treatment. Not too much from Levante in terms of an attacking threat at the moment, but they continue to frustrate the capital outfit.
GOAL! Levante 2-1 Real Madrid (El Zhar)
Levante take the lead with four minutes remaining as El Zhar collects a loose ball inside the box before turning two defenders and whipping his effort into the back of the net. What a stunning strike from the former Liverpool midfielder.
Madrid are heading for back-to-back defeats here after losing to Atletico Madrid last week. That said, there is still time for Madrid to grab an equaliser as long balls continue to arrive into the Levante box. The home supporters are going absolutely potty inside the stadium.
Levante make their third and final change of the evening as Ruben Garcia is replaced by Sergio Pinto, who will just sit in front of that back four.
GOAL! Levante 2-2 Real Madrid (Morata)
Real Madrid equalise! Stunning from the youngster Morata as he turns inside the box before turning his low effort into the back of the net. We are into the first of four additional minutes. Surely Madrid cannot win it from here?
Levante are in no rush as they continue to take their time with every free kick. It is a case of 'anywhere will do' as they continue to clear their lines. Time is just starting to run out for Madrid, who might feel that they can create one more chance.
GOAL! Levante 2-3 Real Madrid (Ronaldo)
What can you say?! Ronaldo has not been in this match but he wins it in the fourth additional minute as he thumps a low effort into the bottom corner from just inside the box. That is just stunning.
FULL TIME: Levante 2-3 Real Madrid
Just incredible. Madrid score twice in the final stages to turn this one around and collect all the points. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to remain with us for Barcelona against Valladolid. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
