Levante 3-3 Real Madrid: Vinicius seals thrilling point for Los Blancos

 

Levante came agonisingly close to a famous win over Real Madrid, but substitute Vinicius Junior sealed a point for Carlo Ancelotti's men.

Vinicius Junior spared Real Madrid's blushes on Sunday as his sublime 85th-minute strike secured a pulsating 3-3 draw against Levante.

Los Blancos kicked off their LaLiga campaign with a 4-1 victory over Alaves last weekend and they looked like they would cruise to back-to-back wins when Gareth Bale gave them an early lead at Estadi Ciutat de Valencia.

The hosts had other ideas, though, and went ahead thanks to goals from Roger Marti and Jose Campana inside the opening 12 minutes of the second half.

Substitute Vinicius drew the visitors level in the 73rd minute, yet it appeared Levante would claim a memorable three points when Rober Pier slotted home from close range six minutes later.

However, Brazil international Vinicius ensured a share of the spoils with a wonderful strike from the tightest of angles, while the late drama continued when Levante goalkeeper Aitor Fernandez received a straight red card for handling the ball way outside his penalty area in the closing stages as he bid to stop a Madrid counter.  

Madrid had started on the front foot, Bale sweeping home his first LaLiga goal since a double against Villarreal in September 2019 after being picked out by Karim Benzema.

Carlo Ancelotti's side dominated the rest of the first half after that – taking 11 shots to Levante's two – yet they were unable to force Fernandez into a save before the interval.

Levante pulled level with their first shot on target 28 seconds into the second half, Marti latching onto Gonzalo Melero's throughball and firing in an effort that squirmed through the grasp of Thibaut Courtois.

An unlikely turnaround was completed in the 57th minute when Campana stormed in at the back post to thump a stunning volley past Courtois from Jorge de Frutos' cross.

Vinicius drew Madrid level with a cool finish after being played clean through by Casemiro, but Pier restored Levante’s lead when a free-kick bounced kindly into his path a few yards from goal.

Alejandro Cantero inexplicably struck the post after rounding Courtois soon after, setting the stage for Vinicius to equalise for the second time with a glorious finish from an acute angle.

And Levante can consider themselves fortunate to have held on for a point given defender Ruben Vezo went in goal from the 87th minute after Fernandez received his marching orders for denying Vinicius with his hand midway inside his own half.

What does it mean? Levante exploit Madrid's soft centre  

Given Madrid's dominance in the first half, it is remarkable they needed a late leveller from Vinicius to sneak a point. They had 20 shots to the hosts' eight and really should have gone back to the Spanish capital with all three points.  

The absence of Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane, who both departed during the off-season, was noticeable and Ancelotti has his work cut out instilling solidity in his fragile backline.  

Vinicius stakes his claim 

Introduced for Eden Hazard shortly before the hour mark, Vinicius was everything the Belgium international was not. His two goals were superbly taken, while his relentless running led to Fernandez's dismissal. He can surely expect to be in from the start next weekend.  

Hazard struggles again 

Hazard was comfortably the least effective of Madrid's starting front three. Bale scored and Benzema claimed two assists, while Hazard could only muster one shot in his 59 minutes on the pitch. He will need to do a lot more if he is going to belatedly start paying back his whopping transfer fee.  

What's next? 

Madrid are on the road again on Saturday, travelling to Real Betis in LaLiga, while Levante visit Real Sociedad on the same day.