Real Madrid welcomed Levante to the Bernabeu on Sunday looking to recover from back-to-back defeats in all competitions and close the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona to one point.
The home side took the lead with 18 minutes on the clock when Gareth Bale found the corner from inside the box, before the Welshman added a second late in the first period.
Los Blancos continued to dominate proceedings in the second half, but the score remained at 2-0 on what was a comfortable evening for Carlo Ancelotti's side.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
7.52pmEvening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Bernabeu as Real Madrid welcome Levante. Both sides are in desperate need of the points, but for very different reasons. Will there be more handkerchiefs waved at the Bernabeu tonight? We shall soon find out!
7.53pmIn terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Real Madrid have won each of the last five matches, including a 5-0 success in the reverse match earlier this season. They have also won eight of their previous nine home league games against Levante – including a 3-0 victory in the corresponding clash last season. In truth, it has been a fixture dominated by the team from the Spanish capital.
7.54pmReal Madrid, however, are not in good form. They dropped league points at home to Villarreal at the start of the month, before losing at Athletic Bilbao last weekend, which saw them relinquish first position to Barcelona, who now lead the table by four points following their win at Eibar on Saturday. It is now Carlo Ancelotti's side playing catch-up in Spain's top flight. Los Blancos were also beaten 4-3 at home by Schalke 04 in the Champions League on Tuesday, but squeezed into the quarter-finals 5-4 on aggregate. It is a testing time of the season for those involved with Real Madrid.
7.55pmLevante, meanwhile, will enter the match off the back of a 2-1 win over Eibar last weekend, which was their third victory in their last five league games. As it stands, they sit 18th in the table on 25 points, but it is awfully close at the bottom of the table. They have found the back of the net on 23 occasions in the league, but conceded 49, which is the joint-highest at this stage.
7.56pmLevante's away form this season has also been poor – recording just one win from 13 matches and picking up just seven points. In fact, only Real Sociedad have a worse home record at this stage. In Valencia, however, they have been quite solid – winning five of their 13 matches and collecting 18 points. It will surely be their home form that determines whether they can remain in the league.
7.58pmTEAMS
REAL MADRID: Navas; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Silva, Modric, Isco; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo
LEVANTE: Marino; Lopez, Navarro, Ramis, Tono; Camarasa, Simao; Xumetra, Barral, Morales, Uche
0 minHere we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. Can Levante shock Real Madrid at the Bernabeu? We shall soon find out! The visitors get the first 45 minutes underway.
2 minThe cold has returned to Madrid this evening, with the temperature sitting at six degrees. The pitch is in perfect condition, however, and the home supporters will expect a response from their team. As expected, Real Madrid have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes.
3 minHalf-chance for Bale as the Welshman attempts the spectacular from a wide angle, but his volley just moved high of the crossbar. It will be interesting to see whether the fans get on Bale's back here.
5 minLevante manage to gain a period of possession inside their own half, but it does not last long as Marino fires out of play under pressure from Ronaldo. Modric, who is back in the Real Madrid midfield this evening, has been on the ball plenty of times thus far. The hosts will want a quick start here.
5 minPOST! Ronaldo hits the post for the home side after a scramble inside the Levante box. It looked to be nestling in the bottom corner, but the woodwork saved Levante from falling behind!
7 minBenzema is involved for the home side this time as he finds space inside the box before driving a low cross towards Ronaldo, but Ramis is on hand to clear. Levante are struggling a touch here.
9 minThe longer this game stays at 0-0, the more tension will build inside the stadium. The home side are dominating the possession, but Levante have been fairly comfortable at the back aside from that effort from Ronaldo which struck the post. Can you imagine if the visitors could take the lead here?
10 minAnother half-chance for the home side as Pepe meets a corner from Isco, but his header was always dropping wide of the post. Fairly good start from Real Madrid, but no goals thus far in Madrid.
12 minThere is no real atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment, which is not that surprising. Ronaldo has been the picture of frustration, meanwhile, with the Portuguese showing his anger.
13 minReal Madrid have the chance to threaten from a free kick as Tono fells Ronaldo...
13 min... Ronaldo takes the set piece, but his effort is straight into the wall. Not great there.
15 minUche is doing his best to occupy the two Real Madrid centre-backs, but the striker is just struggling for service at the moment. Real Madrid continue to dominate, but still no goal for the home side.
16 minGOAL DISALLOWED! Benzema has the ball in the back of the net for Real Madrid after finishing from close range, but the Frenchman was in an offside position when Modric tested Marino from outside the box. It was a stinging effort from Modric and a really super save from the stopper.
17 minSAVE! More super goalkeeping from Marino as the Spaniard turns a Bale header just wide of the post. Good pressure from Real Madrid, but Levante survive the two corners in quick succession.
18 minGOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Levante (Bale)
19 minThe goal drought is over for Bale! Real Madrid break the deadlock with 18 minutes on the clock as Bale rifles one into the corner after Ronaldo had a volley cleared off the line. Lift-off here!
20 minBale covered his ears during his celebration, which is a dig at his critics! The Welshman has been involved in everything tonight and he deserves that goal. Levante need to be really careful now.
22 minReal Madrid look good for a second goal here as Marcelo again delivers from the left, but Tono just manages to clear ahead of Bale. You just get the feeling that Levante need to score the next goal if they are to stand a chance of upsetting Los Blancos. A second Real strike could be curtains.
23 min
8 - Gareth Bale has scored his first league goal for eight games. Timely.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 15, 201525 minSlightly better from Levante in the last couple of minutes as an extended period of possession leads to Xumetra delivering from the right, but Ramos is on hand to head clear, before the hosts break.
26 minCHANCE! Incredible chance for Real Madrid to score a second as Bale flashes a low cross into Ronaldo, but somehow Tono manages to deflect wide of the post. It looked a simple tap-in!
28 minIn fairness to Real Madrid, this has been a very strong opening 28 minutes. They were under huge pressure entering this match, but they have been in complete control. That said, as long as the score remains 1-0, Levante will feel that they are in the game. A second, however, might kill it.
29 minCROSSBAR! Real Madrid come close to scoring a second as Bale's cross is met by the head of Simao and the ball smashes against his own crossbar. From the resulting corner, Bale rises inside the box, but his header is wide of the post. Bale has been excellent thus far tonight.
30 minBOOKING! Modric (Real Madrid) is booked for a poor challenge on Barral.
32 minAs it stands, Real Madrid will be just one point behind the league leaders Barcelona ahead of El Clasico next weekend. What a game that promises to be! Still 1-0 to the hosts with 32 minutes played.
34 minGood period of possession for Levante in the last couple of minutes, but they are not really going anywhere with it and Real Madrid regain the ball. Levante just have not offered a threat thus far.
36 minBale has been Real Madrid's best player in this first period there is no doubt about that. Once again the Welshman takes control of a long pass before feeding Ronaldo, but the Portuguese just gets the ball stuck under his feet. In fairness to Levante, they have actually defended pretty well tonight.
38 minNot too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes and credit must be given to Levante for closing the space in the final third. Can the away side force a goal before the interval?
40 minHalf-chance for the away side as Xumetra delivers a dangerous cross towards the head of Uche, but his header was always moving wide of the post. Levante have certainly grown into this first period.
40 minGOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Levante (Bale)
41 minReal Madrid have their second of the match as Ronaldo's goal-bound effort from outside the box is flicked into the bottom corner by Bale. Ronaldo wants the goal, but Bale will surely get it!
42 minRonaldo is being credited by some sources, but Bale with others. Bale for me.
44 minReal Madrid go searching for a third as Marcelo lifts a long pass towards Ronaldo, but Marino comes out to collect at the vital moment. Levante have a lot of work to do if they are to turn this around.
45 min+1Good pressure from Levante in the latter part of this half, but Real Madrid survive two corners.
45 min+1HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 2-0 Levante
8.47pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Real Madrid leading 2-0 courtesy of a double from Bale. The Welshman's first was an excellent finish into the corner of the net, before he flicked Ronaldo's goal-bound strike into the bottom corner. Levante are staring defeat in the face.
8.52pmSTATS! In truth, Real Madrid have utterly dominated thus far. The hosts have had 67% of the possession, while they hit the target with five of their 15 attempts. Levante, meanwhile, have managed just two attempts off target. There has been just the one yellow card, with Modric in the book.
8.57pmBENCH WATCH! Should Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti wish to alter proceedings, he has plenty of options on the bench in the shape of Jese Rodriguez, Javier Hernandez and Toni Kroos. Levante, meanwhile, have the likes of Victor Casadesus, Nabil El Zhar and Ruben Garcia in reserve.
46 minHere we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Levante find a route back into this match? It is the home side that get the second 45 minutes underway.
47 minNo changes from either side at the break, which is not too surprising at this stage of the match. However, I suspect that alterations will occur if the score remains 2-0 here as the half develops.
48 minGood link-up between Isco and Benzema down the Real Madrid right, but Tono is across to clear for a corner. A third goal for the home side would surely kill off Levante's already-slim hopes here.
50 minReal Madrid might be winning here, but you still get the feeling that the natives are restless. Meanwhile, Ronaldo's body language this evening has not been great. Problems at the inn!
52 minBale attempts to deliver a deep cross towards Ronaldo, but it is too strong for the Portuguese and Levante have a goal kick. Not too much from the visitors in the early stages of this half here.
54 minHalf-chance for the home side as Marcelo delivers a super cross towards Benzema, but the Frenchman's effort was always rising over the crossbar. Real Madrid are still searching for a third.
56 minNot too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last few minutes, but Real Madrid are in complete control. Ronaldo attempts to lean on Tono at the far post before directing a header towards goal, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Little over 35 minutes to play in Madrid.
58 minNot too much is happening at the moment, but Real Madrid are in complete control of the possession. Levante are not overly keen on pushing forward, but Uche's pace could cause problems late on.
59 minSUBS! Levante make a double change as El Zhar and Garcia replace Morales and Xumetra.
61 minIt has been a frustrating evening for Benzema and the Real Madrid forward's night is summed up as he loses control inside the box before bringing Tono to the ground. The home side are winning, but again it has been a fairly average performance. Barcelona will not be worried that is for certain.
63 minLevante have been a little better since the two changes were made, but a poor touch from El Zhar brings their latest attack to a close. Not too much happening for Real Madrid at the moment.
65 minIn truth, this is almost like a pre-season match at the moment, with neither side too forceful in the final third. Real Madrid are so comfortable and Levante are lacking belief in the final third.
65 minCROSSBAR! Benzema almost scores an absolute stunner after flicking a Bale cross towards goal, but his effort hits the crossbar. The ball was behind the Frenchman, but he somehow twisted his body and made contact. It would have been one of the all-time sensational goals!
67 minBale again threatens for Levante as he drives down the right before delivering, but Tono manages to clear at the near post under pressure from Ronaldo. The home side are searching for a third here.
69 minLittle over 20 minutes of football remaining and Real Madrid still lead 2-0 at the Bernabeu. I suspect that Carlo Ancelotti will look to his bench over the next five minutes to just freshen things.
70 minSUB! Indeed Ancelotti does make a change as Jese replaces Isco.
71 minCHANCE! Wonderful chance for Bale to score his hat-trick as the Welshman collects a super pass from Benzema before attempting to slide one into the bottom corner, but Marino makes the save.
73 minThe home side remain in control of developments in the final third, but Levante must be credited for their rear-guard performance this evening. Overall, Alcarez can be pleased up until this point.
75 minSUB! Levante make their third change as Casadesus replaces Uche.
77 minRonaldo's frustration continues as the Portuguese loses possession after collecting a sharp pass from Jese. Levante are down the other end moments later, but they are blocked off down the left.
78 minBarral takes matters into his own hands for the visitors, but his effort is wide of the post.
78 minSUB! Real Madrid make their second change as Illarramendi replaces Modric.
81 minReal Madrid again break down the left as Jese combines with Marcelo, but Lopez is across to make a super challenge at a vital moment. The home side remain in control of the possession in Madrid.
82 minSUB! Real Madrid make their third change as Benzema is replaced by Hernandez.
84 minAnother opportunity for Ronaldo as the Portuguese finds a yard of space outside the box, but his effort is straight at Marino, who has had a pretty good game despite conceding twice tonight.
86 minBOOKING! Ramos (Real Madrid) is booked for a late challenge on Casadesus.
88 minCasadesus appears to have a problem for Levante as he hits the deck after striking one high of the crossbar. It appears that Levante will have to finish this game with 10 men due to that injury.
90 minCHANCE! Hernandez comes close to scoring a third for the home side after meeting a super free kick from Marcelo, but the Mexican's header flashes wide of the post!
90 min+1CHANCE! Wonderful chance for El Zhar to register for Levante after meeting a low cross from Barral, but the attacker's effort is high and wide of the crossbar. What an opportunity there!
90 min+2CHANCE! It just isn't Ronaldo's night as the Portuguese fires high of the crossbar at the far post!
90 min+3We are into the third and final minute of added time here.
90 min+4FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 2-0 Levante
9.49pmSo there we have it. Bale scores twice as Real Madrid record a 2-0 win over Levante. It was a routine night for Los Blancos and they are now just one point behind the leaders Barcelona ahead of El Clasico next weekend. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action! Good evening!
