There are matches that glitter with individual brilliance, and evenings that mark the turning of a new chapter. Real Madrid’s 2-0 victory over Levante at the Santiago Bernabéu delivered both. Kylian Mbappé, the French phenom, notched his 50th LaLiga goal, helping Los Blancos rebound emphatically from a recent Copa del Rey stumble at Albacete. However, this clash was more than a simple show of star power; it signaled the dawn of a fresh era under new head coach Alvaro Arbeloa.
Despite the electric atmosphere, the first half proved to be a chess match rather than a carnival of chances. The Bernabéu faithful, expectant and ever-demanding, watched Mbappé slice a volley wide, while, at the opposite end, Levante’s Pablo Martinez briefly threatened with a free-kick, only for the ball to ruffle the side-netting. The crowd’s tension simmered—an energy you could almost taste—as Madrid searched for a spark in Arbeloa’s opening LaLiga fixture at the helm.
Turning point: Mbappé and Asencio seize the moment
It wasn’t until the 58th minute that the breakthrough finally arrived. Mbappé, under the spotlight, transformed a moment of pressure into a milestone—slotting home a penalty with ice-cold precision after being felled in the box by Adrian de la Fuente. This wasn’t just goal number 50 for the French international; it cemented him as the second-fastest player to reach a half-century of LaLiga goals in the 21st century, doing so in only 53 matches. Only Cristiano Ronaldo reached the mark quicker, needing just 51 games.
Madrid's confidence surged. Raul Asencio, still riding high from his last home goal, doubled the lead seven minutes later. He rose imperiously to meet Arda Guler’s expertly curved corner, powering a header that left Levante’s goalkeeper Mathew Ryan rooted to the spot. For Asencio, this marked two goals in as many home appearances—a sign that Madrid’s youthful talent pool is bubbling with potential.
Young blood and grit: Arbeloa’s bold new Madrid
Under Arbeloa, Madrid’s starting eleven boasted an average age of only 24 years and 326 days—the youngest lineup for a Los Blancos coach making his LaLiga debut since at least 2003-04. This refreshing blend of youthful drive and tactical discipline spoke volumes, even as the team managed just six shots in a cagey first half—the lowest such tally under a Madrid coach’s debut since Julen Lopetegui in 2018.
But adaptation is a hallmark of this Madrid squad. In a thrilling second half, they ramped up the pressure:
- Total shots: 26 (up from just 6 in the first period)
- Expected goals (xG): 2.61
- Continued a flawless record when scoring first in the league this season (14 wins from 14)
Still, not every note was joyous. Vinicius Junior, ever mercurial, endured jeers from sections of the home support whenever he touched the ball, casting a shadow over an otherwise celebratory night.
The path ahead: Madrid’s momentum and mystery
Madrid now sits just a point off leaders Barcelona, having swiftly shrugged off cup disappointment and laid groundwork for the future. The sight of Jude Bellingham and young Franco Mastantuono coming within inches of further glory—with Mastantuono rattling the crossbar—underlined a tantalizing truth: this is a squad both gifted and hungry.
How far can Madrid’s blend of youthful ambition and world-class leadership—spearheaded by Mbappé—take them this season? The promise on display suggests that answers won’t come easily, and that’s what makes it all the more compelling for fans and neutrals alike. With a squad rewriting records and shaking up traditions, Madrid’s journey is full of possibilities—ones that might just reshape the LaLiga narrative in the months to come.