Madrid 3-2 Levante: Benzema fires double on Hazard debut as Casemiro on target

Karim Benzema scored twice in Real Madrid's 3-2 win over Levante as Eden Hazard made his long-awaited debut.

Match Report

Eden Hazard made his Real Madrid debut as they claimed a nervy 3-2 victory over Levante in LaLiga thanks to two goals from Karim Benzema.

A brace from Benzema, plus a goal from Casemiro, ensured Madrid were firmly in control when 3-0 ahead at the break before a second-half fightback from the visitors.

Borja Mayoral, on loan at Levante from Madrid, pulled a goal back and the home team conceded again when Gonzalo Melero headed in from a corner, with Thibaut Courtois preserving their lead with a fine save in the closing minutes.

Hazard, who joined from Chelsea, was given a warm welcome when introduced on the hour, the Belgium forward having missed his new club's opening three games of the season with a muscle injury.

Match Events

25' GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Levante (Benzema)

BENZEMA HEADS MADRID IN FRONT!! 1-0!!! The home side take the lead as Benzema nods home from close range. 

Carvajal is played into space down the right flank and he cuts back to clip a cross into the middle on his left foot. 

Benzema makes a late run between the Levante centre-backs and latches on to the delivery. He guides his header low into the right-bottom corner giving Aitor no chance.

31' GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Levante (Benzema)

BENZEMA NOTCHES HIS SECOND!!! MADRID 2-0!! The hosts extend their lead with an incisive break. 

A mistake in the midfield allows Marcelo to send the ball long to Benzema and he battles with Postigo in the air. The Levante defender inadvertently nods it straight to James, who then releases Benzema through on goal. 

The forward holds his composure to slot a left-footed strike into the left-bottom corner. All too easy Zidane's men.

40' GOAL! Real Madrid 3-0 Levante (Casemiro)

CASEMIRO HAS MADRID'S THIRD!!! 3-0!!! It's all too easy for the home side on the counter as Casemiro converts from close range. 

Vazquez and Benzema combine to release Vinicius into space behind the Levante backline. He surges into the right inside channel before firing a low ball across the face of goal. 

Casemiro makes a late run to the back post to slide home his strike.

49' GOAL! Real Madrid 3-1 Levante (Mayoral)

MAYORAL FINDS THE NET!!! 3-1!!! Levante are back in the game as Mayoral stabs a low effort past Courtois at the near post. Clerc raids down the left flank and works a low cross into the middle. 

Mayoral gets between Ramos and Varane to slot his strike into the left-bottom corner, but he does not celebrate against his former club.

60' SUB! Hazard replaces Casemiro

Hazard replaces Casemiro for the home side to make his Madrid debut. Zidane shifts out a defensive option for an attacking one.

62' OFFSIDE! Vinicius' goal disallowed

Madrid have the ball in the back of the net through Vinicius, but it's chalked off for offside against James in the build-up. 

Vinicius should score initially, but he sees his strike beaten away by Aitor. 

James gathers the rebound and pokes towards the net, only for the keeper to stand firm. Eventually the ball finds its way back to Vinicius to convert, although his celebrations are cut short.

75' GOAL! Real Madrid 3-2 Levante (Melero)

MELERO HEADS HOME!!!! 3-2!!!! Levante are well and truly back in the game now! Madrid are caught out by a short corner, which giveds Campana time to lift a cross to the back post. 

Melero gets behind Carvajal to power his header past Courtois. A nervy 15 minutes awaits the home side now.

Player Ratings

Line-ups

Real Madrid XI: Sergio Ramos, Benzema, T. Kroos, Marcelo, J. Rodríguez, T. Courtois, Casemiro, Daniel Carvajal, R. Varane, Lucas Vázquez, Vinícius Júnior

Subs: E. Hazard, A. Areola, Nacho, L. Jović, F.Mendy, Éder Militão, Rodrygo

Levante XI: Ó. Duarte, Aitor Fernández, Rochina, Postigo, Miramón, J.Campaña, N. Vukčević, Clerc, R.Vezo, Morales, Mayoral

Subs: Coke, S.León, Oier , Martí, Cabaco, Melero, Bardhi