Real Madrid continued their 100% start to the campaign, comfortably beating Levante 4-1 to open a season with six successive LaLiga wins for just the second time since 1987/88.
Levante came into this fixture having won three of their last eight H2Hs, so despite the magnitude of the task on their hands, there was optimism for the hosts. That was on full display in the opening minutes as Ivan Romero fired wide and Adrián de la Fuente nodded off-target when unmarked from a corner.
However, once Real clicked into gear, there was no looking back as the home side were continually picked apart. Mathew Ryan was alert to keep out a low Vinicius Junior curler, seeing Franco Mastantuono’s follow-up from an offside position ping off the crossbar, but it wouldn't take long for Real to break the deadlock.
Levante hadn’t conceded inside the opening half-hour of a LaLiga match this season, but that record was ended in the 28th minute when Vinicius guided an inventive strike inside the far post with the outside of his boot.
Armed with the momentum, Los Blancos doubled their advantage as Mastantuono capped off a fast breakaway, squeezing a near-post shot into the top corner.
A bulldozing run from Alvaro Carreras almost resulted in a third goal before the break, only for Ryan to keep his side hanging on, stopping a low Vinicius side-foot finish.
A slice of luck helped Levante get back into the contest in the 54th minute, profiting from a heavy deflection, which saw Romero’s shot loop over Thibaut Courtois before Etta Eyong applied the final touch for his fourth league goal this season.
But growing hope that there may be a way back into the game soon dissipated 10 minutes later when Kylian Mbappe produced a Panenka penalty, punishing Unai Elgezabal for a rash challenge.
And in the blink of an eye, the result was wrapped up as Mbappe rounded Ryan and tucked home, handing Los Blancos an unassailable lead.
Vinícius could have added a fifth goal in stoppage time with a delicate chip, but that proved immaterial.
Real Madrid extend their lead at the top of the LaLiga table having secured a fourth successive away league win for the first time since May 2024. Meanwhile, Levante have now won just one of their last 10 H2Hs at home (D2, L7), leaving them 16th in the early standings, having played one more game than each of the three teams directly below them.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)
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