Real Madrid’s Offensive Power Shines Amid Dramatic Victory Over Levante
The match captured the dramatic arc of Real Madrid’s season, a showcase of attacking might and strategic resilience. After a Champions League final that stirred strong emotions, the team faced the challenge of rebuilding momentum. Five years after that pivotal moment, the Blancos showed how, step by step, they evolved into a force in LaLiga SmartBank and beyond. The night highlighted Vinícius Junior’s first hat-trick and Karim Benzema’s ascent as the second all-time top scorer for the white club, cementing a defining chapter in the club’s history.
The duel against Levante tested Real Madrid’s resolve. The starter’s plan by Alessio Lisci, who favored a compact defense, aimed to blunt Madrid’s attack, but the visitors could not keep pace with a team intent on control. Luka Modrić stood out with three assists, orchestrating plays with his usual calm and precision, a reminder of his enduring influence on the game for years to come. His involvement helped Real Madrid create space and momentum, even when Levante fought to stay in the contest.
From the opening whistle, Madrid demonstrated a clear intent to press high and move the ball quickly. Benzema found the back of the net early, and Rodrygo added another as the frontline trio began to take shape. Vinícius kept the tempo high, showing why he remains a central figure for the team, especially as he linked up with teammates to stretch Levante’s defense. The home side’s confidence grew as the minutes ticked by, driven by a rhythm that left the visitors scrambling to respond.
The Levante goalkeeper, who later earned respect for his performance, faced a relentless wave of Madrid chances. A stoppage moments into the game gave way to continuous pressure, with Vinícius making a decisive run that put Benzema in position to convert. Benzema’s goal tally continued to rise, reinforcing his status as a key scorer who can influence matches at crucial moments. Fede Valverde also contributed, and his impact on the game helped Madrid extend their advantage before halftime.
As the second half began, Madrid maintained control. A sensational sequence saw Modrić’s vision unlock the defense and set up Vinícius for another breakthrough, one that would underscore the Brazilian’s growing maturity and chemistry with Benzema. The captaincy and composure of Madrid’s midfield allowed for clean transitions and sustained pressure on Levante’s defense, which struggled to establish a foothold in the encounter.
Lisci’s decision to switch defenders did little to alter the trajectory of the game. Real Madrid’s attack continued to find gaps, and a patient buildup culminated in a decisive volley that demonstrated the team’s clinical finishing. The collective performance found its peak as Vinícius completed his hat-trick, the moment marking a personal milestone and a reminder of Madrid’s goal-scoring depth. Benzema’s later contribution, sealing a goal and keeping the attack relentless, added to the narrative of a night where the collective effort outshone the opposition’s fight.
Commentators noted Madrid’s tactical discipline and the way substitutes and rotations managed to preserve momentum. The team executed with surgical precision in the final third, turning chances into goals and maintaining a high level of intensity across the match. Levante’s players showed flashes of resilience, but Madrid’s organized shape and willingness to press as a unit allowed them to control the tempo and pace of the game from start to finish.
In the data sheet, Real Madrid lined up with Courtois in goal, Vázquez, Nacho, Vallejo, and Mendy across the back, Camavinga and Valverde in the middle, with Modrić pulling the strings. Rodrygo and Vinícius supported Benzema, who could still influence the match late with decisive plays. Levante fielded a robust lineup, with a compact defense and a focus on counter-attacks, though they struggled to keep up with the pace and precision Madrid displayed in the final third.
The match, played in front of a large Santiago Bernabéu crowd, reflected Real Madrid’s momentum as the season progressed. As the clock wound down, Vinícius’s continued impact—paired with Benzema’s finishing brilliance—illustrated a pairing that remains among the most dangerous in European football. Levante’s performance, while spirited, could not withstand the sustained pressure that defined Real Madrid’s approach throughout the night.
Final notes highlighted the tactical battle, the clinical finishing, and the leadership shown by Madrid’s veterans. A night of celebration for fans and a reminder to rivals that Real Madrid continues to evolve with a potent mix of speed, technique, and strategic depth. The performance stood as a testament to a team that can adapt mid-season while maintaining a relentless pursuit of goals and success on multiple fronts.
Data sheet: 6 Real Madrid: Courtois; Vázquez, Nacho, Vallejo, Mendy; Camavinga, Valverde, Modrić; Rodrygo, Vinícius, Benzema. Substitutions and other players noted in match report as events unfolded. Goals: 1-0 Mendy, 2-0 Benzema, 3-0 Rodrygo, 4-0 Vinícius, 5-0 Vinícius, 6-0 Vinícius. The referee was Adrián Cordero Vega. The match marked the thirty-sixth day of LaLiga Santander, held at the Santiago Bernabéu with a crowd of over 38,000 spectators. (Attribution: LaLiga)