Madrid: Real Madrid paid the price for an early red card showed to Eder Militao as Roger Marti helped Levante to recover from a penalty miss to clinch a 2-1 away win in La Liga on Saturday (January 30).
The defending champions played with 10 men for 81 minutes and could not hold Levante, as Roger settled the match after Jose Luis Morales equallised Marco Asensio’s opener. Asensio’s goal came against the run of play following Militao’s mishap on 13 minutes, Thibaut Courtois brilliantly saved Roger’s second-half spot-kick.
Although the goalkeeper was beaten for a second time, though, as Los Blancos evidently failed to close the seven-point gap to Atletico Madrid, who have two games in hand.
Militao was dismissed after just nine minutes after referee David Medie booked the centre-back for tangling with Sergio Leon. Although, Toni Kroos’ outstanding pass sent Asensio clear to calmly finish on the counter, hence giving the host a lead.
Levante equalised with a cross into the area that Morales hit on the half volley, being unmarked at the back post on 32 minutes. After half-time Levante lost their momentum as Courtois came to the fore again when a VAR review ruled Vinicius Junior’s foul on Carlos Clerc was just on the line of the penalty area, saving superbly a Roger spot-kick.
However, it was Roger who had the final say, when he scored the winner on 78 minutes. He fired beyond Courtois when Madrid were caught cold from a corner, their defending as usual poor.
