Real Madrid survive second half scare to claim victory

Real Madrid claimed all three points in a thrilling 3-2 victory over Levante at the Santiago Bernabeu, but it should have been plain sailing for Zidane's men. 

The home side had the first shot of the game inside two minutes when Benzema's shot from inside the D was saved by Fernandez, but Levante were brave early on and had a couple of early chances. One of them was a free-kick which deflected behind off Duarte in the box. 

However, after the first 10 minutes, the hosts took charge of the game. Kroos had two shots, one which went wide and the other which was saved by Fernandez. Benzema was then denied by the goalie in the 21st minute before Lucas Vazquez struck the post seconds later. The Levante goal was being peppered and just four minutes later, Levante's resistance was broken.

Vazquez found Carvajal on the near side and Benzema rose higher than Duarte to head home. In the 31st minute, he made it two after Postigo headed a long punt towards James and the Colombian passed to the Frenchman who made no mistake.

Levante were shaken by Real's first half display and Casemiro looked to have sealed the win when he made it 3-0 five minutes before the break. Real attacked, the Levante defence were torn apart and Vinicius passed to Casemiro who tapped home. There was a lengthy VAR check, but Benzema was clearly onside. 

After half-time, the team from Valencia came out positively and reduced the deficit after less than three minutes when Carlos Clerc's pass found Mayoral who hit home from 10 yards out. Mayoral did not celebrate out of respect for his old club, but that was the start of a Levante fightback. Campana wasted a golden opportunity for Paco Lopez's men in the 55th minute after Carvajal was dispossessed in his own area, but Real continued to attack. 

Benzema hit the post after lovely play before Vinicius' rebound found the sidenetting. Then Vinicius thought he had scored a scrappy goal just after the hour mark, but James was offside in the build up. 

Hazard came on for his La Liga debut just before the hour mark and he did not take long before he showed signs of his class. The Belgian saw his strike saved after a lovely run. James Rodriguez then played in Vinicius 19 minutes from time, but the outstanding Aitor Fernandez prevented Vinicius from scoring. Real were in complete control, but with 15 minutes left, Levante found another. 

A corner was taken short and Campaña's delivery was headed home by Gonzalo Melero at the far post. Levante scored their second goal with just their second shot on target compared to Real Madrid's 13. The goal set alarm bells ringing at the Bernabeu and although Benzema scuffed an effort wide, the visitors started to have the upper hand and could have levelled twice in stoppage time. 

First Courtois made a stunning stop after Campaña's free-kick was headed towards goal by Ruben Vezo and then Morales could only find the side netting after a fabulous pass by Jorge Miramon. Had there been another five minutes, there could well have been a different result. Real Madrid finally won after two successive draws while Levante suffered their first loss of the season. Real Madrid deserved to win, but their second half performance is definitely cause for concern. Levante, on the other hand, will be regretting what happened in the opening 45.