Real Madrid maintained their perfect start to the season with arguably their most impressive performance yet, humbling Levante 4-1 away from home at the Estadio Ciudad de Valencia on Tuesday night.
All three of Real’s starting forwards showed their class, as the prolific Kylian Mbappe packed a second half brace to move to 9 goals from 7 games this season, after Vinicius Junior netted a spectacular goal and set up Franco Mastantuono for his first goal in a Madrid shirt - itself a spectacular strike - to put Real 2-0 ahead at halftime.
Vinicius found his form in Valencia, striking a brilliant opener with the outside of his boot in the 28th minute. Just 10 minutes later, the Brazilian winger threaded a ball to his Argentine teammate Mastantuono, who hit the roof of the net from a narrow angle with an outstanding strike to double Madrid’s advantage.
Mastantuono's more advanced position as Rodrygo dropped to the bench to make way for an extra midfielder in Arda Guler away from home, was the key tactical change wrought by Madrid coach Xabi Alonso, and it seemed to work as the 18-year-old Argentine continued looking dangerous as he has all season, also hitting the woodwork in the 20th minute, when he got to a rebound off the Levante keeper first, from a 25-yard-punt by Vinicius.
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As the second half got underway, Levante signaled a comeback with forward Etta Eyong pulling one back with a stunning header in the 54th minute. But Mbappe restored the 36-time La Liga champions' two-goal lead just nine minutes later, after being brought down in the box and stepping up himself to put away a cool-headed 'Panenka' from the spot.
Two minutes later in the 66th minute, Mbappe wrapped up the scoring for the night, outrunning the Levante defence without getting out of second gear, before rounding the keeper with ease and putting the ball in the net, after being played through by the precocious Guler.
The result keeps Xabi Alonso’s side at the top of the table with six wins out of six for the full 18 points, stretching their lead to five points over reigning champions Barcelona, who travel to Real Oviedo on Thursday. Levante is languishing in 16th place with four points.
Alonso was pleased with the performance but said it’s just the beginning for his team. The focus now shifts to the Madrid derby this Saturday.
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“We’re in a growth phase, still under construction. We’re 51 days in and there’s still a long way to go,” Alonso said in the post-match press briefing. “We’re building a solid foundation to be competitive in La Liga, the Champions League, and the Copa del Rey. Many people in the team feel connected and important.”
Despite Real’s staggering form under him, the Spanish legend insisted there is room for improvement: “There are still some things to improve, but the path is looking good; not just because of the results but also because of the way we’re doing things.”
He urged his players to maintain their momentum as well, stating, “We have to keep going, we can’t stop. This is just the beginning, and we want to keep competing well.”