Real Madrid continued their flawless start to the La Liga season with a convincing 4-1 victory away at Levante on Tuesday night.
Vinicius Junior, Franco Mastantuono, and a brace from Kylian Mbappe ensured Xabi Alonso’s side made it six wins from six, keeping them firmly on top of the table with a five-point cushion over rivals Barcelona, who travel to Real Oviedo on Thursday.
Vinicius, who has endured a mixed run of form since finishing second behind Manchester City’s Rodri in last year’s Ballon d’Or, looked back to his best at the Ciutat de Valencia. After going close early on, the Brazilian opened the scoring in the 28th minute, curling a sublime effort into the far corner with the outside of his right boot after being teed up by Fede Valverde. He later turned provider, setting up Mastantuono for Madrid’s second with a thunderous strike into the top corner.
Levante briefly threatened a fightback when in-form striker Karl Etta Eyong headed in his fourth goal of the season, but Madrid’s response was swift and ruthless. Mbappe, brought down clumsily in the box, restored the two-goal advantage with a cheeky Panenka penalty before adding his second, rounding goalkeeper Mathew Ryan and slotting home after being released by Arda Güler.
Mbappe’s brace took his league tally to seven in six matches and nine in all competitions this season, continuing his blistering form since a slow start following his move from Paris Saint-Germain last summer.
What you should know
Real Madrid are in unstoppable form under Xabi Alonso, winning all six of their league games so far.
Vinicius Junior returned to top level with a goal and assist, while Kylian Mbappe’s clinical finishing underlined why he is already the talisman of Los Blancos’ new era.
