Saturday afternoon's La Liga clash in Valencia pitted Levante against Real Madrid.
The visitors led 2-0 at the interval courtesy of an early penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo and close-range header from Javier Hernandez.
Ronaldo netted his second just past the hour mark, before James Rodriguez made it four after 66 minutes.
Los Blancos were not finished, however, and made it five late on through Isco.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! The international break was no doubt enthralling, but now the bread and butter of domestic football returns. Here, our focus is on La Liga, where Levante welcome Real Madrid. Before anything else, let me bring you up-to-speed with the team news, which filtered through a little while ago.
TEAMS
Levante: Marino; P.Lopez, Rodas, I.Lopez, Juanfran; R.Garcia, Diop, Camarasa; Morales, Gavilan; Casadesus
Real Madrid: Casillas; Carvajal, Pepe, Nacho, Marcelo; Kroos, Modric, Isco; Ronaldo, Hernandez, James
So there we have it. The home side will seemingly line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation this afternoon, with Jose Morales and Jaime Gavilan providing support to lone striker Victor Casadesus. Ruben Garcia is also included in midfield, but there is no spot in the XI for Brazilian forward Rafael Martins.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, are without the injured Sergio Ramos, meaning that Nacho comes into central defence alongside Pepe. Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema also miss out following the international break, with Isco and Javier Hernandez selected in the XI. Iker Casillas is once more selected between the sticks, while there is a place on the bench for Sami Khedira, who has recovered from a knee problem.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Real Madrid have won each of the last five matches, scoring an impressive 17 goals in the process. Last season, Los Blancos were 3-0 winners in this stadium, while they also recorded a 3-0 victory in the return match at the Bernabeu.
To be blunt, Levante have made a really disappointing start to the season. As it stands, they are 17th in the table having collected just five points from their first seven matches. Their only win came on the road – against Granada – and they have lost all three league games on their own patch. That said, if that run ends this afternoon then it could indeed be a springboard for the Valencia-based side.
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As well as boasting just five points, Levante also have the joint-worst goal difference at this stage of the season. They have conceded 15 times in total, scoring just four times in the process. More damning, they have conceded nine times on their own patch and failed to score.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, lost two of their first three games, but they have won their last four to move into fourth spot in the table. In total, they have collected 15 points from their seven games, which has left them four points behind the leaders Barcelona and above champions Atletico Madrid.
Over the last four league games, Real Madrid have scored an incredible 20 times. They thumped Deportivo 8-2, put five past Athletic Bilbao and Elche, as well as beating Villarreal 2-0 at El Madrigal. Following a shaky start, it appears that Carlo Ancelotti's side are finally finding their groove.
PREDICTION: In truth, I am finding it very difficult to make a case for Levante this afternoon. Real Madrid are missing key players, but they still have such an abundance of talent. My score prediction is 3-0 Madrid, with Ronaldo continuing his fine run of goal-scoring form.
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Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. Once the pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged, we will be ready to get the action underway. Let's hope for a entertaining La Liga affair in Valencia.
It is far from a full house inside the stadium, but there is still a good atmosphere. The home supporters really need something to cheer that is for certain. Real Madrid, however, will be in no mood for favours. It is the away side that get the first 45 minutes of action underway. Is there to be a shock?
It will not come as much of a surprise that the visitors have taken control of the possession in the early moments here, with Isco and Modric both coming deep to collect the ball. The former attempts to slide a pass into Hernandez, but Juanfran is out to clear before releasing Diop down the other end.
CHANCE! Stunning chance for Ronaldo to open the scoring as the Portuguese collects a pass from Kroos before driving into the Levante box, but his effort is just wide of the post. Levante's defence are playing extremely high, which could create serious problems.
CHANCE! It is the Ronaldo show at the moment as the Madrid attacker collects a poor pass from Rodas before driving into the Levante box and arrowing one towards the bottom corner, but once again his effort is wide. The home side are being warned in the early stages here.
The away side look dangerous each time they break forward at the moment, with Ronaldo and Hernandez causing problems in the final third. Levante have been unable to make an impact in an attacking sense, however, with Casadesus struggling as the lone forward in the early stages.
Isco has been lively for the away side in the opening nine minutes, with the Spaniard again looking to feed Ronaldo, but this time Juanfran is across to make the clearance. It is possession football for Madrid outside the Levante box, with the home side dropping deeper and deeper, even at this early stage.
Half-chance for the home side as Juanfran finds the head of Casadesus inside the Madrid box, but the Spaniard's header is high of the crossbar. Much better from the hosts, who have just started to exploit the wide positions.
PENALTY REAL MADRID!
BOOKING! Real Madrid have a penalty as Juanfran, who is booked, brings Hernandez to the ground inside the box. Clumsy challenge.
GOAL! Levante 0-1 Real Madrid (Ronaldo, pen)
Diego Marino goes the right way, but the power beats him as Ronaldo rattles his penalty into the back of the net.
In truth, it had been coming. Ronaldo had two clear chances in the early moments, but has scored on his third serious attempt. You fear for the home side in this position as Real Madrid continue to pass and probe.
In fairness to Levante, they have started to force the issue in the Madrid half, with Diop exerting his influence in the middle of the park. Ruben Garcia finds some space outside the box before trying his luck, but his effort was always moving wide. Levante must keep their own tempo high here.
About 2,000 travelling Madrid fans [inc Ultras Sur contingent] making plenty of noise early at Ciutat de Valencia.
— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) October 18, 2014
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, with both sides guilty of losing possession in the final third. You just get the feeling that the next goal could be crucial here.
Real Madrid have a free kick in an advanced position as Gavilan brings James to the ground. The resulting set piece is taken short to James, who strikes towards goal, but Rodas is on hand to make the block. The travelling supporters, meanwhile, continue to make their voices known in the stadium.
BOOKING! Camarasa goes into the book for Levante after bringing Marcelo to the ground. The resulting free kick is taken by Ronaldo - who else - but he strikes straight into the wall.
CLOSE! Much better from the home side as Garcia breaks quickly before finding Diop on the edge of the Madrid box, but his effort is deflected wide of the post. The resulting corner is met by Rodas, but his header is cleared off the line by Marcelo. Finally a threat from Levante!
It is a very open game at the moment, with the home side giving as good as they are getting in the final third. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining and the visitors still lead 1-0.
BOOKING! This referee likes a card doesn't he? Gavilan now goes into the book for Levante after a pull on Modric. Three cards in total thus far and all have come for the home side.
The match has been stop-start in the last five minutes or so, with the referee taking exception to each late challenge. We could do with the match flowing a little bit more truth be told. Not too much to report in terms of attacking pressure, with Levante now very much in this match after a poor start.
Levante continue to force the issue in the wide areas, with Garcia and Gavilan prepared to deliver from either side of the field. Garcia goes down inside the Madrid box under pressure from Marcelo, but the referee is not interested. The visitors just cannot keep the ball at the moment.
Strangely, we have seen hardly anything from the visitors since they took the lead. You would have thought that they would be keen on putting this match to bed as soon as possible. Especially with upcoming matches against Liverpool and Barcelona - some match that is going to be by the way!
Half-chance for the away side as Modric strikes one from the edge of the box, but Marino is on hand to make a smart save. The resulting corner is delivered into Nacho, but Ivan clears the danger.
GOAL! Levante 0-2 Real Madrid (Hernandez)
Real Madrid have their second of the match as James delivers a wicked cross onto the head of Hernandez, who cannot miss from close range. Is that game, set and match? Quite possibly.
In truth, it is harsh on Levante, who have played some decent stuff in the first period. However, that is the difference between the top teams and the rest. Levante just need to be careful here as they continue to dive into late challenges, with Diop the latest to fly into the back of Kroos.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the latter stages of the half, with the referee forced into action to award a number of free kicks, which has been the story for much of the first period.
CHANCE! Another chance for Hernandez as James delivers a brilliant cross into the Mexican, but his effort is just wide of the post. That would indeed have been game, set and match.
BOOKING! Pedro Lopez is now booked for a late challenge on Marcelo.
HALF-TIME: Levante 0-2 Real Madrid
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end, with Real Madrid leading 2-0 courtesy of a penalty from Ronaldo and close-range header from Hernandez. In truth, it is a little harsh on the home side, who have carried a threat in forward positions. They have it all to do in the second period.
STATS! The away side have dominated the ball with 70% possession, while they have had 10 attempts, three of which have been on target. Levante, meanwhile, have hit the target with just one of their five attempts. It has also been a feisty half in terms of challenges, with four cards issued.
BENCH WATCH! The home side have attacking options on their bench in the shape of El Adoua, Ivanschitz and Perez. Meanwhile, Madrid have the likes of Bale, Khedira and Illarramendi in reserve. However, the visitors are without the services of first-choice striker Karim Benzema,
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. How can Levante turn this one around? It will take some effort. Right, the hosts get the second 45 minutes underway.
SUB! One change for Levante at the break, with Perez replacing Gavilan.
No changes from Real Madrid, which is not much of a surprise. However, I suspect that Carlo Ancelotti will look to his bench if the score remains 2-0 for the next 20 minutes or so. His attention might then switch to the European clash with Liverpool next week if he feels this match is secure.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the early stages of the second period, but both sides have had decent possession in each half. The busy Isco attempts to feed a pass into Hernandez, but Rodas is on hand to make the challenge. Can Levante keep this game alive by cutting the deficit to one?
You just get the feeling that another goal for the visitors would certainly end this game as a contest, but at 2-0, Levante are still in the match. Hardly anything has happened in the second half in terms of chances, with the referee still being forced to stop the play due to a number of late challenges.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side to score their third of the match as Ronaldo advances into the box before striking on goal, but Marino is on hand to make a brilliant save.
Levante are doing their best to cause problems in the Real Madrid half, with Garcia forcing the issue with a run from deep, but Pepe steps across to clear once more. The match has just started to open up, which will suit the away side more than the hosts that is for certain.
Casadesus has a half-chance for Levante after meeting a cross from Morales, but Nacho just does enough to unsteady the striker. The home side flood forward moments later with Diop, who combines with Juanfran before attempting to slide a pass beyond Nacho, but the danger is cleared by Pepe.
GOAL! Levante 0-3 Real Madrid (Ronaldo)
The away side have their third and Ronaldo has his second as the attacker dances into the Levante box before finishing past Marino. He just cannot stop scoring at the moment, well ever!
Just the 15 league goals for Ronaldo already this season...
Real Madrid are in the mood now as they continue to flood forward. If Levante are not careful then this could be five or six before the 90 minutes is up. Ronaldo has again been just sensational.
GOAL! Levante 0-4 Real Madrid (James)
The visitors have their fourth of the match as James collects a through ball before finishing into the bottom corner. He deserves that - the Colombian has been very good this afternoon.
SUB! Levante make their second change as Barral replaces Casadesus.
SUB! Madrid make their first change as Kroos is replaced by Illarramendi.
It is almost like a training match at the moment as the visitors continue to pass and probe in the final third. If they wanted, I suspect this could be five or six, but they are content as it stands.
Barral has made a difference for the home side, with his pace causing problems to the Madrid back four, but there is nothing ahead of the Spaniard. Just a reminder that La Liga leaders Barcelona are in action later this evening and you can join me from 6.30pm for build-up to that one right here.
SUB! Madrid make their second change as Arbeloa replaces Marcelo.
CHANCE! Stunning chance for Madrid to score their fifth as Modric strikes one from close range, but Marino is on hand to make a wonderful point-blank save.
SUB! The home side make their third change as Xumetra replaces Garcia.
Little over 10 minutes of this La Liga contest remaining and the visitors are in complete control. The Madrid fans have travelled in their numbers this afternoon and they are really, really enjoying this.
SUB! Madrid make their third change as Modric is replaced by Medran.
Levante force the issue with two corners in quick succession, but the visitors clear on both occasions. The second brings a counter attack, but Arbeloa cannot find Ronaldo at the far post after breaking into the Levante box. It remains 4-0 with little under 10 minutes of this contest remaining.
GOAL! Levante 0-5 Real Madrid (Isco)
Real Madrid have their fifth as Isco dribbles to the edge of the Levante box before arrowing one into the top corner. Brilliant finish from the Spaniard, who has been impressive this afternoon.
Real Madrid have had 11 shots on target this afternoon, while Levante have had just the one. That tells you everything that you need to know. It has been a struggle for the home side to be honest.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last minute or two, with the visitors just enjoying possession in the Levante half. The away side are moving into second spot with this thumping win.
The away side break forward with Ronaldo, who finds Carvajal down the right, but the Spaniard cannot squeeze a cross into the box. Little over one minute or normal time remaining.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes.
FULL-TIME: Levante 0-5 Real Madrid
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close, with Real Madrid running out 5-0 winners. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good afternoon!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
