More misery for Real Madrid as Levante hit late leveller

Real Madrid's miserable season took another dismal turn as they conceded a late equaliser to draw 2-2 at relegation-threatened Levante.

Zinedine Zidane’s side fell asleep at the back to allow former AC Milan striker Giampaolo Pazzini through to net an equaliser just minutes after the Spanish and European champions looked to have scored a late winner of their own through Isco.

The result means Real Madrid could finish the weekend a giant 21 points behind La Liga pace-setters and rivals Barcelona, with the capital club struggling to merely keep hold of their place in the top four. This season is going from bad to worse for Real.

This was after Sergio Ramos had given the visitors a first half lead with a header from a corner kick, with Emmanuel Boateng levelling the score after some slack defending from Real Madrid. That set the tone for what was to follow in the second half. There is much for Zidane, and indeed club president Florentino Perez, to ponder.

The Frenchman was already under pressure before this match, with Real Madrid putting up a dismal defence of their title. Now, the pressure might prove too much. There have already been reports that Florentino Perez is lining up a replacement for Zidane, with both Antonio Conte and Mauricio Pochettino linked. So might this result be the end for Zidane at the club?

A number of players stood out for Levante, but nobody had as big an impact on this game as Morales did. His pace stretched the pitch and caused Real Madrid problems time and time again. The forward might not have found the net, but it was his contribution that gave the hosts their threat on the rapid counter attack. Morales embodied the approach from Levante.

Levante - Oier 7, Coke 7, Pier 6, Postigo 5, Luna 6, Lerma 7, Doukoure 6, Lukic 6, Boateng 8, Ivi 7, Morales 8. Subs - Pazzini 7, Roger 6, Jason 5.

Real Madrid - Navas 7, Carvajal 5, Ramos 4, Varane 4, Marcelo 4, Casemiro 5, Kroos 7, Modric 8, Bale 5, Ronaldo 5, Benzema 6. Subs - Isco 7, Vazquez 5, Asensio 5.

10’ BIG CHANCE! Marcelo and Kroos link up, with the Brazilian left back driving into the penalty area. A deflection took the shot from Marcelo wide of the far post. Not far away.

11’ GOAL! Levante 0-1 Real Madrid: Real Madrid have the opener! Ramos got on the end of a corner kick, heading towards goal from about 12 yards out. It shouldn't have beaten Oier, but the keeper was confused by the movement in front of him.

42’ GOAL! Levante 1-1 Real Madrid: Against the run of play, Levante have equalised! Navas comes off his line to make the save from Morales, but Boateng was quick on to the rebound and did well to guide a low shot into the bottom corner of the net.

57’ WHAT A BLOCK! A cross from Modric falls kindly to Ronaldo about six yards out, but Doukoure does well to throw himself in front of the shot from the number seven to make the block.

58’ NAVAS SAVE! Real Madrid get caught out on the rapid counter attack, with Morales beating Modric. Lerma hooks the shot on goal in the end, but Navas makes the strong save.

76’ WHAT A SAVE! That's the save of the match so far. Ramos got on the end of a corner kick and powered a header towards goal, but Oier threw out a hand to push the effort away.

81’ GOAL! Levante 1-2 Real Madrid: Isco was brought on to make the difference for Real Madrid and that's what he's done! Benzema won a ball at the byline, cutting it back for the playmaker to smash home a finish. That could be the winner!

86’ FREE HEADER! How did that stay out?! Roger had to score that! How did it not go in? He was completely free at the back post, but he glanced his header wide of the near post. Wow.

89’ GOAL! Levante 2-2 Real Madrid: An equaliser for the home side! Once again, Real Madrid fall asleep at the back and Pazzini gets in behind, squeezing a shot underneath Navas who just couldn't keep the ball out of the net! A huge goal!

Sergio Ramos became the first defender ever to score in 14 La Liga seasons in succession.

Real Madrid Madrid have now conceded 10 goals in their last six La Liga games.