LaLiga

Result: Levante 1-2 Real Madrid

Date: 24 February 2019

Venue: Estadio Ciudad de Valencia

Karim Benzema continued his fine form in front of goal as Real Madrid recorded a 2-1 victory over Levante in LaLiga on Sunday evening.

Levante register first as a shot from Ruben Rochina missed the target by mere inches with a shot outside the box on six minutes.

Real were still in first gear, as Levante threatened once more when Roger Marti’s shot hit the inside post on 26 minutes.

A few minutes before the break, Los Blancos were in front after a decision from Video Assistant Referee culminated in a penalty following a handball by Enis Bardhi inside the box.

Benzema made no mistake in dispatching the spot-kick five minutes before halftime, much to the frustration of the Valencia-based side.

Levante almost hit back on the brink of halftime, but Marti’s low shot from inside the box flashed off the post.

The Spanish international’s menacing act continued at the start of the second half, as he forced Courtois to get down to keep out his low-ridden effort.

Real could and should’ve grabbed a second on the hour, but Vinicius Junior sent an effort wide after breaking into a good position.

The home side needed a minute to get the equaliser as Marti finished off a loose ball following some sloppy defending from Los Blancos.

However, Real received another penalty on 77 minutes after Casemiro went down under a challenge from Cheick Doukoure. Gareth Bale, who replaced Benzema earlier on, calmly slotted away the spot-kick to restore is side's lead.

The clash ended on a sour note for Los Blancos as Nacho Fernandez was sent off for a second bookable offence in the closing stages, but the visitors were able to hold on for the win.