Super Sub Rescues Real In Six-Goal Thriller
23 August, 2021
Vinicius Junior came off the bench and bagged a brace as Real Madrid and Levante played to an entertaining 3-3 draw on Sunday night.
LaLiga
Result: Levante 3-3 Real Madrid
Date: 22 August 2021
Venue: Estadio Ciudad de Valencia
With Luka Modric and Toni Kroos missing, Isco was handed a start in midfield alongside Casemiro and Federico Valverde while Gareth Bale and Eden Hazard continued in the attack.
The visitors got off to a fine start as karim Benzema raced onto a through-ball from David Alaba before picking out Bale, who sent first-time finish into the back of the net.
Bale could have had a second goal after the 20-minute mark after getting on the end of Valverde's cross, but the Welshman could only poke his effort wide of the mark.
It was one-way traffic in the first half as Levante provided no real attacking threat in the first half, as Bale and Isco went close with a couple efforts from distance in the final 10 minutes.
That would all change in the second half as the home side pulled level seconds after the restart as Melero slipped Roger Marti through on goal and the striker managed to squeeze the ball beyond Thibaut Courtois.
The turnaround was complete in the 57th minute when an un-marked Jose Campana sent a first-time volley into the top corner after getting on the end of Jorge de Frutos' cross at the far post.
Ancelotti responded with a triple change as Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Marco Asensio replaced Isco, Hazard and Bale for the final 30 minutes.
The decision paid off as Vinicius brought Los Blancos level in the 72nd minute as the winger latched onto a superb pass from Casemiro before firing past
However, the home side were back in front six minutes later as a free-kick into the box deflected off Alaba and fell kindly for Rober Pier who made no mistake from six-yards out.
The pendulum swung once again as Vinicius brought Los Blancos back on level terms with an instinctive finish from a tight angle that left Aitor Fernandez stunned.
Aitor's evening came to an end moments later as the Levante goalkeeper was shown a straight red card for handling the ball outside the box.
Ancelotti's men were unable to take advantage of the numbers game as Levante managed hold out until the final whistle to claim their second point of the season.
Source: www.soccerladuma.co.za
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