Kylian Mbappe scored a penalty to help a crisis-ridden Real Madrid secure a 2-0 victory against Levante at the Santiago Bernabéu. The win, marked by second-half goals from Mbappe and Raul Asencio, provided some relief after a week of turmoil for the club.

Real Madrid, recently humbled by a defeat against second-division side Albacete in the Copa del Rey and the sacking of Xabi Alonso, faced a hostile atmosphere at the Bernabéu. Boos and chants directed at club president Florentino Perez echoed through the stadium, reflecting the fans' discontent.

The first half saw a flat performance from Real Madrid, struggling to create clear chances against a well-organized Levante defense. The tension was palpable, with the home crowd making their displeasure known. According to some sources, the problems started after El Clasico against Barcelona. After being substituted, Vinicius Jr. reportedly stated he would leave if the situation continued, questioning Xabi Alonso's authority.

The game shifted in the second half when Dela fouled Mbappe in the box. The French forward calmly converted the penalty in the 58th minute, extending his La Liga-leading tally to 19 goals and easing some of the pressure. Seven minutes later, Raul Asencio doubled the advantage with a powerful header from Arda Guler's corner, securing a crucial cushion for new coach Alvaro Arbeloa.

Real Madrid's victory snapped a two-match losing streak and offered respite after a difficult week, which included a 3-2 defeat by Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final and a shock Copa del Rey exit. Despite the win, the team's structural problems extend beyond the final third. The absence of a playmaking midfielder, following the departure of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, has been noted as a contributing factor to their inconsistent performances.

With this win, Real Madrid remains second in La Liga with 48 points from 20 matches, trailing Barcelona by a single point. Meanwhile, Levante is struggling in 19th place with 14 points.

Looking ahead, Real Madrid faces an important Champions League match against Monaco, seeking to secure a top-eight finish in the league phase. The club is also reportedly considering a move for Erling Haaland in the summer, aiming to revitalize the team and appease the disgruntled fanbase.