Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid were too hot to handle for Levante at the Santiago Bernabeu and Vinicius Jr. was the standout performer with three goals.Karim Benzema, who equalled Raul as Real Madrid’s second-highest all-time goalscorer for Real Madrid .
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In the build-up to the game, Carlo Ancelotti warned of the importance of maintaining a positive run and a competitive edge, and it’s fair to say the team delivered and then some this evening. The La Liga champions treated the home fans to a footballing exhibition, storming to a 6-0 win over Levante thanks to goals by Mendy, Benzema, Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr., who hit his first ever madridista hat-trick. Modric provided three assists in the game as Benzema further added to his legendary status by moving level with Raul as the second-highest goalscorer in Real Madrid history.
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The game began in a fairly even fashion with few real chances of note. Only Karim Benzema had tested Cardenas, when with 13 minutes gone, Mendy opened the floodgates. The full-back latched on to a delightful Modrić assist to drive into the area and make it 1-0. From that moment on, Madrid took hold of the game and began crafting out chances for fun. Two in a row for Valverde, one of which came back off the post, and another for Mendy, were just the prelude to the second goal. With 19 minutes gone, Benzema wrote his name deeper into the history books when he headed home a Vini Jr., cross to bring him level with Raúl’s tally of 323.
Ancelotti’s team were now firmly camped in the visitors’ half as Vinicius Jr. almost grabbed Madrid’s third, but Cardenas pushed the ball out for a corner. Levante tried to make the most of the space left by the hosts and Son came within a whisker of reducing the deficit when his strike went wide of the post. The madridistas continued to apply the pressure, with Benzema dragging a shot across goal and Rodrygo finding the net, only to be flagged by the linesman for offside. The third goal finally came when Rodrygo played a neat one-two with Modrić before beating Cardenas. The Whites were not content to sit back as Valverde looked to get his name on the scoresheet, but he was denied by the crossbar on two occasions. Vinicius Jr. did find a way through to make it 4-0 in the 45th minute when his effort across the keeper went in after another one-two with Modric.
Vinicius Jr. takes centre stage
Despite the 4-0 lead, the hosts kept up the pressure after the re-start. Cardenas prevented a fifth goal when he did well to keep out Valverde and Modric. Levante went in search of a consolation as Pepelu and Morales tried their luck from distance, but the main goal threat was at the other end. Rodrygo dinked an effort off target and Vinicius Jr. saw another goal chalked off for offside on 58’. The Brazilian got his reward on 68’ when Modric started another move before feeding Benzema who rounded the keeper before providing the assist for his teammate.
Vinicius Jr. completed his hat-trick when he turned inside the area, beat a player and fired in his side’s sixth (83’). Mariano almost added another goal, but the scoreline remained the same as the league champions produced another victory for the Bernabeu faithful.
Vinicius Jr. has the most goal involvements of any U-21 player in Europe this season (21 goals and 20 assists)
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said ,”Vinicius and Karim played very well tonight, as they have all season. The whole team is doing a great job and this allows them to show their quality. Time has helped them both. They understand each other very well.”
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La Liga Real Madrid Levante Football Sports Kolkata
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