Watch Now: Real Madrid 2-0 Levante | Kylian Mbappé Goal & Arbeloa’s First Win Analysis
Real Madrid navigated a high-tension evening at the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday, January 17, 2026, securing a vital 2-0 victory over Levante. While the three points help Los Blancos keep pace with Barcelona, the match was defined as much by the hostile atmosphere in the stands as the action on the pitch.
Match Analysis: A Tale of Two Real Madrids
The Hostile Backdrop Before a ball was even kicked, the Bernabéu crowd made their feelings known. Following the shock exit of Xabi Alonso and a humiliating midweek Copa del Rey loss to Albacete, fans greeted the players with deafening whistles and the traditional pañolada (white handkerchief protest). Club president Florentino Pérez and stars like Vinícius Júnior were the primary targets of the supporters’ ire.
The Tactical Shift In his La Liga debut, Álvaro Arbeloa fielded the youngest Real Madrid starting XI in over two decades (average age of 24 years, 326 days). Despite the fresh legs, Madrid looked flat in the first half, struggling to break down a resilient, albeit 19th-placed, Levante side.
The Breakthrough The tension finally broke in the 58th minute:
- The Penalty: Kylian Mbappé, returning from a knee sprain, was fouled in the box by Adrián de la Fuente.
- The Milestone: Mbappé stepped up to score his 19th league goal of the season and his 50th overall in La Liga, reaching the half-century mark in just 53 matches—the second-fastest in the 21st century behind only Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Clincher Just seven minutes later, the game was put to bed. Substitute Arda Güler—who changed the game’s tempo—delivered a perfect corner for Raúl Asencio. The young center-back rose above the defense to power home a “bullet header,” marking his second goal in as many home games and effectively silencing the boos for the remainder of the match.
Key Match Stats
| Statistic | Real Madrid | Levante |
| Goals | 2 | 0 |
| Shots (On Target) | 14 (7) | 5 (1) |
| Possession | 62% | 38% |
| Pass Accuracy | 89% | 76% |
What’s Next for Los Blancos?
This win brings Real Madrid within one point of Barcelona, who play Real Sociedad on Sunday. However, Arbeloa’s “crisis-hit” squad has no time to celebrate; they must now shift focus to a crucial Champions League clash against Monaco this Tuesday at the Bernabéu.
