Player Ratings and Match Analysis
Real Madrid Secure Narrow Victory Against Levante: A Detailed Match Analysis
Real Madrid battled to a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Levante at the Santiago Bernabéu on January 17, 2026. While the scoreline suggests a comfortable win, Levante proved to be a resilient opponent, pushing the reigning La Liga champions until the final whistle. The match was ultimately decided by the performance of Real Madrid’s Raul Asencio, who made significant contributions at both ends of the pitch.
First Half: Real Madrid Dominance and Early Lead
The first half saw Real Madrid dominate possession and create numerous scoring opportunities. Manager Carlo Ancelotti opted for a strong starting XI, featuring the likes of Vinicius Jr., Jude Bellingham, and Federico Valverde in midfield. Real Madrid’s early pressure paid off in the 15th minute when Raul Asencio capitalized on a defensive error by Levante. A misplaced pass was intercepted by Asencio, who drove towards the goal and unleashed a powerful shot that found the back of the net. The Bernabéu erupted in celebration as Real Madrid took a deserved lead.
Following the goal, Real Madrid continued to control the game, dictating the tempo and creating further chances. Vinicius Jr. was a constant threat on the left wing, using his pace and dribbling skills to trouble the Levante defense. Jude Bellingham also impressed with his intelligent runs and incisive passing. However, Levante remained organized defensively and managed to limit Real Madrid’s clear-cut opportunities. Goalkeeper Aitor Fernandez made several crucial saves to keep his team in the game.
Second Half: Levante’s Fightback and Asencio’s Heroics
The second half saw a more determined Levante emerge from the dressing room. Manager Javier Pereira made a tactical change, introducing a more attacking player in midfield to provide support for the forwards. Levante began to press higher up the pitch, disrupting Real Madrid’s passing rhythm and creating turnovers in dangerous areas. Their increased intensity paid off in the 60th minute when they equalized through a well-worked team goal. A swift counter-attack culminated in a precise cross from the right wing, which was met by the head of Roger MartÃ, who powered the ball past Thibaut Courtois.
The equalizer injected new life into Levante, who continued to push forward in search of a winning goal. Real Madrid, on the other hand, appeared rattled and struggled to regain control of the game. Ancelotti responded by making a couple of substitutions, bringing on fresh legs in midfield and attack. The introduction of Rodrygo and Eduardo Camavinga provided Real Madrid with a much-needed boost.
In the 75th minute, Raul Asencio once again proved to be the difference-maker. After a corner kick, the ball was cleared to the edge of the box, where Asencio was waiting. He took a touch to control the ball and then unleashed a stunning volley that flew past Aitor Fernandez and into the top corner of the net. The goal was a moment of brilliance and sparked wild celebrations among the Real Madrid supporters. Asencio’s second goal of the match restored Real Madrid’s lead and ultimately secured the victory.
In the closing stages of the game, Levante threw everything they had at Real Madrid, but the home side defended resolutely and managed to hold on for the win. Courtois made a couple of important saves to deny Levante an equalizer, while the Real Madrid defense stood firm against the late onslaught.
Real Madrid Player Ratings
Thibaut Courtois (7/10): Made several crucial saves to deny Levante, especially in the closing stages of the game. Could do little about the goal.
Dani Carvajal (6.5/10): Solid defensively and provided good support in attack. His crossing accuracy could have been better.
Eder Militao (7/10): Strong in the air and made several important clearances. Showed good composure under pressure.
David Alaba (6.5/10): Comfortable on the ball and distributed well from the back. Was occasionally caught out of position.
Fran Garcia (6/10): A decent performance. Showed promise going forward but needs to improve his defensive positioning.
Federico Valverde (7.5/10): Energetic and dynamic in midfield. Covered a lot of ground and contributed both defensively and offensively.
Jude Bellingham (7/10): Intelligent runs and incisive passing. Created several scoring opportunities for his teammates.
Toni Kroos (6.5/10): Dictated the tempo of the game with his precise passing. Was less effective in the second half as Levante pressed higher.
Vinicius Jr. (7/10): A constant threat on the left wing. Used his pace and dribbling skills to trouble the Levante defense. Needs to improve his finishing.
Raul Asencio (9/10): The hero of the match. Scored two goals, including a stunning volley, and made significant contributions at both ends of the pitch.
Rodrygo (6/10): Showed flashes of brilliance after coming on as a substitute. Needs to be more consistent.
Eduardo Camavinga (6.5/10): Added energy and dynamism to the midfield after coming on as a substitute.
Nacho (N/A): Came on too late to make a significant impact.
Levante Player Ratings
Aitor Fernandez (7/10): Made several crucial saves to keep his team in the game. Could do little about Asencio’s goals.
Jorge Miramon (6/10): Solid defensively but offered little going forward.
Sergio Postigo (6/10): Made several important clearances but was caught out of position for Real Madrid’s first goal.
Rober Pier (6.5/10): Strong in the air and made several important tackles.
Enric Franquesa (6/10): A decent performance. Showed promise going forward but needs to improve his defensive positioning.
Gonzalo Melero (6/10): Worked hard in midfield but struggled to make a significant impact.
Pepelu (6.5/10): Broke up play well and distributed the ball effectively.
Jose Campana (7/10): Creative and skillful in midfield. Created several scoring opportunities for his teammates.
Jorge de Frutos (6.5/10): A threat on the right wing. Used his pace and dribbling skills to trouble the Real Madrid defense.
Roger Martà (7/10): Scored a well-taken goal and worked tirelessly upfront.
Jose Luis Morales (6/10): Struggled to make an impact on the game.
Dani Gomez (6/10): Added energy to the attack after coming on as a substitute.
Son (N/A): Came on too late to make a significant impact.
Conclusion
Real Madrid’s narrow victory over Levante was a testament to their resilience and determination. While Levante proved to be a tough opponent, Real Madrid ultimately prevailed thanks to the brilliance of Raul Asencio, who scored two stunning goals. The win keeps Real Madrid at the top of the La Liga table, while Levante will be disappointed to have come away with nothing after a spirited performance.
FAQ
Who was the Man of the Match?
Raul Asencio was undoubtedly the Man of the Match. He scored both of Real Madrid’s goals, including a spectacular volley, and was a constant threat to the Levante defense. His performance was pivotal in securing the victory for his team.
What was the key moment of the match?
The key moment was Raul Asencio’s second goal, a stunning volley in the 75th minute. This goal restored Real Madrid’s lead and ultimately proved to be the decisive moment in the match. It was a moment of individual brilliance that lifted the team and the crowd.
How did Levante perform in the match?
Levante put up a strong fight against Real Madrid and were unlucky to come away with nothing. They defended well for large periods of the game and created several scoring opportunities. Their equalizer in the second half injected new life into the match, but they were ultimately undone by Asencio’s brilliance.
What are the implications of this result for Real Madrid?
The victory keeps Real Madrid at the top of the La Liga table and maintains their momentum in the title race. It was an important win against a tough opponent, and it will give the team confidence heading into their next match.
What are the implications of this result for Levante?
The defeat is a setback for Levante, but they can take heart from their performance. They showed that they are capable of competing with the top teams in La Liga, and they will need to build on this performance in their upcoming matches to climb up the table.
What tactical changes did the managers make during the match?
Levante’s manager introduced a more attacking player in midfield in the second half to support the forwards, leading to their equalizer. Real Madrid’s manager brought on fresh legs in midfield and attack with the introduction of Rodrygo and Camavinga to regain control of the game after Levante’s resurgence.
