Kylian Mbappé scores twice and teen Franco Mastantuono nets his first Real Madrid goal in a 4–1 win over Levante — full recap, lineups, stats, standings & analysis.
Quick snapshot — Real Madrid vs Levante
Real Madrid beat Levante 4–1 at the Estadio Ciutat de València as Vinícius Júnior and Franco Mastantuono opened the scoring and Kylian Mbappé added a clinical second-half brace — a result that keeps Real Madrid perfect in LaLiga (six wins from six) and cements momentum heading into a big Madrid derby.
Why Levante vs Real Madrid mattered this week
This fixture mattered for four big reasons:
LaLiga positioning: Real Madrid were aiming to maintain a perfect start to the season and build separation at the top of the table; Levante wanted to prove they could hang with the big sides after a promoted-team return. The win kept Madrid in charge of the title narrative.
Player storylines: Kylian Mbappé’s finishing form and Vinícius’s resurgence are major talking points for Madrid’s title push; Franco Mastantuono’s first goal is a significant milestone for a high-profile transfer.
Tactical validation: Xabi Alonso’s rotations and squad depth were tested; Madrid’s ability to control the game while blooding youth showed strategic balance. (Managing Madrid)
Fixture congestion & morale: With the Champions League and a Madrid derby on the horizon, maintaining momentum and fitness while integrating new players matters for the season arc.
Those elements make this more than a routine league game — it was a statement about Real Madrid’s depth and a coming-of-age night for a teenager.
Final score & headline stats (the essentials)
Final: Levante 1, Real Madrid 4.
Goals: Vinícius Júnior (12′), Franco Mastantuono (38′), Kylian Mbappé (penalty, 63′; finish, 66′). Levante’s goal by Etta Eyong (58′). (Reuters)
Key match facts: Real Madrid extended their perfect league record to six wins from six (18 points); Mbappé’s brace pushed his season tally higher and Mastantuono scored his first Real Madrid goal following his summer move from River Plate.
Lineups & formations — Levante vs. Real Madrid (confirmed starters)
Real Madrid (probable 4-3-3 / fluid front three)
Courtouis; Nacho, Éder Militão (rotated), (others); Vinícius Júnior (LW), Jude Bellingham (CM/sub), Eduardo Camavinga (CM), (others); Kylian Mbappé (ST/CF), Franco Mastantuono (appearing from start in advanced role). Lineup variants appeared during the match as Alonso managed minutes. (Managing Madrid)
Levante (typical 4-2-3-1 / counter setup)
Mathew Ryan; Toljan, Cristian Álvarez; Ivan Romero (attacking threat); Etta Eyong (goal scorer); manager deployed a compact shape to absorb pressure and attack on transitions.
Note: For exact minute-by-minute substitutions and full posted XI check the official match page / ESPN boxscore for the full “Levante UD vs Real Madrid lineups.” (ESPN.com)
How the game unfolded — minute-by-minute narrative
First half — Madrid sets the tone
Real Madrid struck early. Vinícius Júnior opened the scoring with a spectacular outside-of-the-boot strike in the 12th minute that beat Levante’s keeper and set the tone. Madrid continued to control possession and tempo; their movement, particularly down the left, created consistent overloads. The visitors doubled the lead in the 38th minute when Franco Mastantuono — the 17/18-year-old Argentine who joined from River Plate — finished powerfully for his first goal in a Real Madrid shirt. Madrid went into the break comfortable but watchful.
Second half — Levante fightback, then Mbappé closes it
Levante came out with urgency and earned a route back into the match: Etta Eyong profited from a deflection to pull the hosts to 2–1 in the 58th minute. But the response was rapid. Kylian Mbappé converted a panenka-style penalty in the 63rd minute — cheeky, confident, and decisive — and then wrapped the contest up just three minutes later with a composed finish after rounding the goalkeeper to make it 4–1. Madrid then managed the game out, bringing on subs and preserving legs for the coming fixtures.
Player spotlight — the five who mattered
1. Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) — the killer instincts
Mbappé’s brace, a cool panenka and a textbook finish, underlined his status as Real Madrid’s main finisher. His movement, pace and decision making in the final third made the difference once Levante attempted a comeback. Analysts will point to his calm from the spot and efficiency inside the box as championship-level attributes.
2. Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid) — the creator
Often a flashpoint for discussion, Vinícius produced the game’s opening golazo and an all-round creative night. His outside-of-the-foot strike that opened the scoring was both technically immaculate and emotionally important for a player regaining top form. He also assisted and drove defenders off the ball throughout the match.
3. Franco Mastantuono (Real Madrid) — debut & milestone
The teenager’s goal was his first for the club after a high-profile summer signing from River Plate. That strike is a major early confidence boost — Mastantuono’s inclusion and finish are an optimistic signal that Madrid’s scouting and youth integration continue to pay off.
4. Mathew Ryan (Levante) — busy under the bar
Levante’s goalkeeper produced several important saves that prevented the scoreline from getting out of hand earlier; his efforts kept Levante alive and were a reminder why veteran keepers are key in tight matches.
5. Etta Eyong (Levante) — the brief spark
Eyong’s goal gave Levante hope and showed the team’s capacity to exploit moments; his strike — aided by a deflection — showed persistence and an ability to test elite defenses.
Tactical & coaching analysis — what Xabi Alonso got right
Depth management: With Champions League fixtures and a derby looming, Alonso rotated the squad while maintaining offensive rhythm. The use of Vinícius in a roaming role helped overload Levante’s left channel; Mastantuono’s inclusion introduced unpredictability. Alonso’s rotations indicate a coach balancing short-term results and long-term squad development. (Managing Madrid)
Pressing triggers and transitions: Madrid’s press in the first half prevented Levante from building rhythm; when Levante did break forward they were vulnerable on quick counters — Mbappé punished those moments in the second half.
Penalty decision & mental edge: The panenka penalty shows both Mbappé’s confidence and the psychological edge Madrid sought to assert immediately after Levante’s pull-back. It had the dual effect of silencing Levante noise and reasserting control.
Match statistics snapshot
(Selected stats — for full interactive stats see ESPN/Reuter match pages.)
Possession: Real Madrid 65% — Levante 35%.
Shots (on target): Real Madrid 14 (7) — Levante 6 (3).
Pass accuracy: Real Madrid ~89% — Levante ~78%.
These figures show Madrid’s control and offensive efficiency, while Levante’s lower possession and shot count underline their counterattacking posture.
Franco Mastantuono: who is Madrid’s new teenage scorer?
Age & origin: Mastantuono is an Argentine teenager signed from River Plate this summer on a long-term contract — a transfer that carried major expectations.
Style: Left-footed, composed finisher; good technique on set pieces and in tight spaces — traits that translated into a composed finish for his first Madrid goal.
Significance: Scoring early in his Real Madrid career helps with adaptation and eases pressure from the media and supporters — a promising sign for Madrid’s long-term forward depth.
LaLiga standings & what this means for the title race
After this match Real Madrid sit top of LaLiga with a perfect record (six wins, 18 points) — a fast start that puts pressure on Barcelona, Atlético and the chasing pack. Their consistency through early fixtures (including wins over Espanyol and others) shows they intend to control the domestic campaign while balancing Champions League duties.
Implications:
Momentum: A string of early wins builds confidence and gives managers room to rotate later.
Fixture congestion: Maintaining maximum points while keeping key players fit will be Xabi Alonso’s balancing act. Expect real management of minutes for stars like Mbappé and Vinícius.
Real Madrid schedule & upcoming tests
Madrid’s immediate calendar is unforgiving: a big Madrid derby with Atlético is next on the horizon — a match that tests defensive resolve and tactical quickness. Champions League fixtures also demand attention; Alonso must manage minutes carefully while keeping momentum. For fans, the most pressing question is how Madrid handles top-level games while integrating youth like Mastantuono.
Fan reaction & social pulse
Social media exploded around two main themes from the match:
Mbappé’s panenka — split reaction between admiration for audacity and critique for riskiness, but overall praise for clinical finishing.
Mastantuono’s first goal — a feel-good story for Madridistas, many of whom share clips of his strike and discuss his potential impact going forward. (Yahoo Sports)
Fan forums and X/Twitter threads also debated Vinícius’s role and Alonso’s rotation choices — an ongoing conversation as the team navigates the season.
Advanced analytics — what the numbers say (expected goals, pressing & player metrics)
While full xG and pressing maps require subscription analytics (Opta / StatsBomb / FBref), the public indicators suggest:
High xG conversion: Madrid’s finishing efficiency was above expected levels on key chances (notably Mbappé’s composed finishes).
Pressing success: Early and mid-block pressing created turnovers that led to dangerous transitions.
Youngster impact metric: Mastantuono’s shot quality and movement into the box will register well on newcomer tracking — a metric clubs use to decide minutes and loan strategy.
For analysts and data-driven readers: check Opta/FBref match pages for xG, pressures and shot maps to see the exact underlying quality behind the 4–1 score.
Manager & player here quotes (post-match highlights)
Xabi Alonso: Praised the squad depth and highlighted Vinícius and Mbappé’s combined impact; he also pointed to Mastantuono’s performance as a reward for the club’s scouting and development model.
Kylian Mbappé: Reportedly described the night as “important” for the team, emphasizing focus on next fixtures rather than individual glory.
Levante perspective: positives and lessons
Positives: Levante showed resilience with a second-half goal and created moments that tested Madrid; they held portions of possession and forced Madrid goalkeeper moments.
Areas to fix: Defensive concentration in the build-up to the first two goals and difficulty handling Mbappé’s late runs. Levante’s coach will likely focus on set-piece organization and transitional defense in training. Players like Ivan Romero and Etta Eyong offered attacking sparks to build on.
What the media are saying (consensus view)
Major outlets framed the match thusly:
Reuters: Emphasized Vinícius and Mbappé’s roles and Mastantuono’s first goal as highlights of Madrid’s disciplined performance.
ESPN / AP: Focused on Mbappé’s brace and the perfect start for Madrid while noting the growing expectation that Madrid are favorites for the title. (ESPN.com)
ManagingMadrid / fan sites: Spotlit tactical choices, youth integration and team morale under Alonso’s stewardship. (Managing Madrid)
Final thoughts — a statement win and a test for the rest of the season
Real Madrid’s 4–1 victory over Levante was more than just three points — it was a confirmation of balance. Alonso’s side displayed elite finishing (Mbappé), individual brilliance (Vinícius), and successful talent integration (Mastantuono). The fixture also served as a useful stress test — handling a lower-block opponent that looked dangerous in transition — and Madrid passed with flying colors.
For Levante, the game offered lessons and a few attacking takeaways to build on. For neutrals, Mastantuono’s emergence will be the story to watch: a young Argentine scoring early for a European giant is always news.
FAQs fans search for (SEO-friendly quick answers)
Q: What was the final score of Real Madrid vs Levante?
A: Real Madrid won 4–1. (Reuters)
Q: Who scored for Real Madrid?
A: Vinícius Júnior, Franco Mastantuono and Kylian Mbappé (2). (Reuters)
Q: Did Mastantuono score his first goal for Real Madrid?
A: Yes — it was Mastantuono’s first goal in a Real Madrid jersey. (SI)
Q: How does this affect the LaLiga table?
A: Real Madrid remain top with a perfect record — six wins, 18 points — giving them early control of the title race. (Reuters)
Q: Where can I watch highlights?
A: Highlights are available on ESPN, LaLiga’s official channels, Real Madrid’s website and major sports outlets. (ESPN.com)