Real Madrid welcomed struggling Levante to the Santiago Bernabeu knowing that a win would move them to the top of the La Liga table ahead of Villarreal's game tomorrow.
Rafael Benitez's team took the lead just before the half hour mark when Marcelo fired home from Cristiano Ronaldo's pass, before Ronaldo doubled the lead just two minutes later to become the leading goalscorer in the club's history.
Levante has several chances to score, though, most notably with a trio of chances that fell to Deyverson, but the Brazilian forward failed to make them pay, and Real wrapped up the win with Jese's late strike.
Read how it all unfolded in our minute-by-minute commentary below.
Hola, and welcome back to La Liga football! After a few days off for the international break, Europe's biggest leagues are back up and running, and what a cracking game we have for you from Spain this afternoon as Real Madrid take on Levante.
Here's Rafael Benitez leading his team into the Bernabeu, looking calm and composed. Will he still feel that way come full time?
The squad have arrived at the stadium! Kick-off is edging closer here at the Bernabéu. Vamos Madrid!
#RMLiga
https://t.co/KsTmCvCdZM
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) October 17, 2015
Let's get straight to the team news...
REAL MADRID STARTING XI: Navas; Varane, Nacho, Marcelo, Danilo; Kroos, Casemiro; Bale, Isco, Kovacic; Ronaldo
Subs: Casilla, Vazquez, Jese, Cheryshev, Llorente, Mayoral, Lienhart
Subs: Casilla, Vazquez, Jese, Cheryshev, Llorente, Mayoral, Lienhart
LEVANTE STARTING XI: Ruben; Juanfran, Simao, Feddal; Tono Garcia, Morales, Jose Mari, Camarasa, Casadesus; Deyverson, Roger
Subs: Marino, Navarro, Lerma, Nikos, Pedro Lopez, Ruben, Ghilas
Subs: Marino, Navarro, Lerma, Nikos, Pedro Lopez, Ruben, Ghilas
So the big news for the home side is that Sergio Ramos has failed to recover from his shoulder injury and is replaced in the side by Nacho. However, right-back Danilo has overcome his injury problems, while Ronaldo leads the line as Jese is left on the bench.
Even when you've got the most expensive squad in the world, you can still have problems with injuries, and my word are Real missing some key men. Los Blancos are without Karim Benzema, who suffered a hamstring injury in France's 4-0 win over Armenia, while midfielder Luka Modric is also missing after picking up an injury on international duty. Add to that list James Rodriguez, Daniel Carvajal and Pepe, who all remain on the treatment table, and suddenly you almost start to feel sorry for Benitez. Almost.
The good news for Rafa is that the world's most expensive footballer is fit and takes his place in today's side. Gareth Bale may not have been at his imperious best for Wales over the international break, but it matters not now that they've qualified for Euro 2016, and, more importantly for Real fans outside the valleys, he came though those games unscathed.
Never mind the world's most expensive footballer. We're 20 minutes into this here live commentary and we've had no mention of the world's most famous footballer. Can his ego take it? Well, it's been a strange couple of weeks for Cristiano Ronaldo and Bale, with all sorts of stories flying around about a falling out between the two. Comments made by the Welshman's agent have done little to help things, but it's been fantastic to follow. It's like Neighbours doing a football version.
© Getty Images
Benitez hasn't been laughing, however. In fact he has been typically quick to quash those rumours, and was noticeably angry with the press ahead of today's game. "There are scandals that are invented. I'm surprised by the quantity of things that come out of Real Madrid that aren't true," he told reporters. "There are people who think this is the type of fashionable journalism." Not us, though.
"There's a lot of media - web pages, blogs, newspapers, radio. They have to keep blowing up scandals because it's easier to sell that way," Benitez said. "There are people who have no interest in things going well for Real Madrid, and who want to destabilise us a little bit. The atmosphere in the camp is very good. The players get on well."
Refocusing on goings on on the pitch before Rafa gets wind of this and we get struck off his Christmas card list, in their last outing before the international break, Real Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw by city rivals Atletico in a feisty encounter at the Vicente Calderon. That result kept Los Blancos unbeaten record alive, but leaves them second in the La Liga table behind surprise leaders Villarreal.
It was also Real's second consecutive La Liga draw, and during those two stalemates the famously freescoring team have notched just a single goal, leading to increased pressure on Benitez, who has had a lot on his plate despite the international break.
So what about today's away side? You'll forgive me, I'm sure, for focusing on Real so far, but to consider this a guaranteed three points for Benitez's men would be foolish. Levante brought Villarreal's superb start to the season to a half a fortnight ago as Deyverson's winner seven minutes from time earned them a 1-0 win against their local rivals.
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That win lifted Lucas Alcaraz's team off the bottom of the La Liga table, but fact is that they've failed to score in five of their last seven away matches in La Liga, and they come to the Santiago Bernabeu with Real Madrid having conceded the just twice in the league this season, their best defensive record at this stage of the season since 1997.
Alcaraz favours a 3-5-2 formation, with the tricky Tono Garcia a lively, left-sided winger who the bulk of Levante's play comes through. With Danilo back in the Real Madrid side but only just back from injury, Tono Garcia could be the visitor's best chance of unlocking this stubborn Real Madrid defence this afternoon.
Victor Camarasa is another Levante man seemingly destined for bigger things. The young Spanish midfielder came through Valencia's youth academy before being released and ending up with neighbouring Levante. A creative central midfielder who specialises in linking up with the attack, he has already been mentioned as a target for bigger clubs, and made his debut for Spain's Under-21 side last year.
Despite the talent of Camarasa and Tono Garcia, the odds are firmly stacked against Levante this afternoon. Real have won their last seven home matches against Alcaraz's team, and are undefeated in their last 20 home matches in La Liga. Will the form book go out the window this afternoon?
PREDICTION With kickoff just 10 minutes away, let's have a prediction. Despite Real Madrid's slightly shaky form and their long, long injury list, I just doubt Levante have enough to upset them this afternoon. With Ronaldo leading the line and Bale in support, I'm backing Rafael Benitez's star duo to click and fire the home side to a 3-0 win.
Agree? Disagree? Just want to see if Bale and Ronaldo have kissed and made up? Either way, stick around and lets see how this intriguing game plays out. The atmosphere is building at the Bernabeu and kickoff is nearing.
The Bernabeu really is a stunning stadium. And HUGE. It looks packed to the rafters as the players make their way out on to the pitch.
Ronaldo is on the pitch presenting his Golden Shoe to the fans, before a minute's silence is observed.
KICKOFF: We're underway in Spain as Levante, kicking right to left, get us up and running.
The visitors settle into some early possession playing the ball around before surging forwards and launching a cross into the box that is dealt with by Danilo.
Oooof! Juanfran slides in on Isco on the right-hand touchline. It's a meaty tackle, but no free kick. The 39-year-old defender looks up for this one alright.
Ronaldo is brought down some 40 yards from goal. Real Madrid take it short, but can't carve out an opening and Levante clear their lines.
BOOKING! Zouhair Feddal is the first man in the book as he gives away a free kick out on the left wing.
Ronaldo curls the free kick into the box but Ruben is out to it and punches clear. Kovacic picks it up on the edge of the box and slips in Danilo down the right, but the full-back's cross is gobbled up by Ruben. Still goalless here.
APPEAL! Ronaldo goes down in the box under the challenge of Simao as he looks to latch on to Bale's cross, but the referee waves away his appeals to his fury. The replays seem to show it was little more than a coming together between the two, but you do see them given.
CHANCE! Marcelo collects a looping bass and floats an inviting cross towards the back post that has Ruben in all kinds of trouble. It just needed someone in the box to fire it home, and you would have backed Benzema to be there. Real are missing his presence at the moment.
Bale picks the ball up on the right edge of the box. He looks up and sees Ronaldo at the back post, but his cross is flicked behind. The corner lands on the head of Varane, but he sends his header over the top of goal. All Real Madrid at the moment, but they're just missing something in the final third.
CHANCE! Marcelo's cross almost finds Ronaldo but Juanfran slides in to hack the ball behind and Real have another corner. This time Bale meets the set piece, but he glances the ball wide.
CHANCE! Oh my word, its completely against the run of play, but Levante should have the lead. A cross from the right is completely missed by Danilo and falls to Deyverson at the back post, but he gets his feet in a tangle and can't fire at goal. Big, big let off for the home side that.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Levante (Marcelo)
That's absolutely typical of Real Madrid. Marcelo steals the ball in midfield and bursts forwards. He plays a one-two with Ronaldo and gets the ball back in the middle of the box, before firing into the bottom corner. Lovely goal, absolutely lethal.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Levante (Ronaldo)
Incredible stuff. One moment Navas is making a sprawling save on his line to keep his side ahead, the next Real are two ahead as Kroos plays in Ronaldo who fires into the bottom right corner from the edge of the area.
We have a delay as Juanfran gets some treatment, which is lucky really as this game has exploded in the last five minutes. It had been a fairly dull opening period, with Real dominating possession but missing Benzema's presence up front. Levante no doubt were feeling confident they could keep the hosts at bay, but just like that they've been hit with a sucker punch. Two of them. Scintillating football from Benitez's team.
CHANCE! Navas is called into action again as Levante break and Deyverson tees up Roger who drills an effort from the edge of the box that Navas gets everything behind.
Levante are ending the half strongly here. They enjoy a spell of possession as Real sit back and invite them forward, happy to defend in numbers. It looks like there is no way through the white wall of players, but a clever reverse pass finds Roger in the box who gets his head up and strikes towards the near post, but Navas is there again for the hosts.
Bale, after failing to make much of an impression out wide, moves inside and picks up the ball, before playing in the lively Marcelo, whose cutback goes off a Levante man for a corner. Just one minute added on here.
HALF TIME Real Madrid 2-0 Levante
Well, it's half time at the Bernabeu and Real Madrid hold a deserved 2-0 lead. Levante have threatened on occasion, but have failed to take their chances. Real, by contrast, have been absolutely lethal in front of goal after a fairly quiet opening 25 minutes.
Despite the scoreline, the away side aren't out of this. Roger and Deyverson have combined well up front for Levante and Victor Camarasa and Jose Mari have been good with the ball in midfield. The problem is that now they have little choice but to attack, and with the pace of Bale and Ronaldo, Real can be lethal on the break.
Worryingly for Real Madrid fans, though, Ronaldo ended that half on the Bernabeu turf receiving treatment for what appeared to be a thigh problem. We'll have to wait and see if he makes it out for the second half.
Just to catch up, both Mateo Kovacic and Jose Luis Morales went into the referee's notebook in the final minutes of the first half.
The good news for Real Madrid fans is that Ronaldo is back out for the second half.
Here come the rest of his team, too. Second half just seconds away here.
SUBSTITUTION! There is a half-time change for Real though as Lucas Vazquez comes on for Bale.
KICKOFF! We're back underway at the Bernabeu...
Marcelo wraps his left boot around the ball and delivers a 40-yard pass to substitute Lucas Vazquez who effortlessly collects the ball and skips off towards goal, only to be muscled off it as he was set to pull the trigger.
BOOKING! Deyverson is the latest man to go into the book as he catches Lucas Vazquez with his arms. Careless rather than deliberate, that.
CHANCE! Marcelo slips and in the blink of an eye Deyverson is in on goal with only Navas to beat, but out of nowhere Casemiro recovers to dispossess the Levante forward. Superb tackle that.
CHANCE! This game is falling into the pattern predicted at half time. Levante are pushing Real back but just lack the nous to unlock them, and it's leaving them susceptible to the break. Real launch just such an attack that ends with Danilo teeing up Kroos on the edge of the box, with the German midfielder taking a touch and curling an effort into the arms of Navas.
BOOKING! Jose Mari clips Vazquez in desperation right on the edge of the Levante box and goes into the book. Ronaldo lines up the free kick and clips one around the wall, but Ruben is behind it all the way.
Kroos dinks a ball over the top to Ronaldo but Ruben is off his line quickly and just beats the Portuguese forward to the ball.
Marcelo, who has been the best player on the pitch this afternoon, curls a delightful pass to Vasquez at the back post, who slides in and half volleys a cross-come-shot back across the face of goal, which is just beyond the reach of Ronaldo.
© Getty Images
SUBSTITUTION! Jose Mari, booked just a minute a go, is replaced by Jefferson Lerma for Levante.
CHANCE! Yet another chance for Levante to pull one back comes and goes as substitute Nabil Ghilas races on to a dinked pass over the top of the Real Madrid back line, but he doesn't strike the ball first time and Navas is out to smother it. A but more urgency there and the away side could have halved the deficit.
I might not be giving Navas enough credit there. That was a very smart save, and the Costa Rican has had a fantastic afternoon. If Real see this out, they'll have Navas to thank as much as Marcelo or Ronaldo.
SUBSTITUTION! Isco makes way for Jese, but Ronaldo was still holding his thigh as his teammate went off. I think CR7 might have been hoping he would be the man to make way there.
CHANCE! I'm beginning to wonder if Levante actually wanted to win this one. The ball is pulled back to Deyverson who is completely unmarked on the penalty spot, but can only send his low shot against the body of Marcelo who just about turns it wide instead of into the back of the net.
That could be Deyverson's last contribution. The Brazilian forward is stretchered off after seeming to jar his leg when hitting that effort, and Levante are, temporarily at least, down to 10 men.
Nope, Deyverson trots back on as sprightly as you like. Where was that exuberance a minute ago?
SUBSTITUTION! Scratch that, Deyverson decides he can't continue and is replaced by Ruben Garcia.
SUBSTITUTION! This game has slowed right down. Marcos Llorente is on for Mateo Kovacic.
Ghilas finds space on the right edge of Real's box, but can't get the better of Varane who sees him into touch and wins a goal kick. Levante are running out of time here.
CHANCE! Real replacement Jese dribbles past his man on the left wing, then checks back and curls a right-footed cross to the back post where Ronaldo is waiting. He gets up well, but his header goes over the top of goal.
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-0 Levante (Jese)
Los Blancos have their third and it's the latest man off the Real production line who has got it. Ronaldo cushions a pass into the path of Vasquez, who in turn picks out the run of Jese to his right. The youngster cuts into the box and flicks an effort into the far corner to wrap up all three points. Lovely goal.
Jefferson Lerma sends a long-range strike a long way wide and Levante look like they've had enough.
CHANCE! Vasquez has made a claim for a first-team place here with a lively cameo, this time collecting the ball on the left and skipping inside before crashing a 20-yard strike inches wide.
Three minutes added on here, but it's nothing more than a precession at this stage. The points are Real's and they will move to the top of the table.
Ghilas spins away from his man 25-yards out and suddenly everything opens out in front of him. Navas is slightly off his line and the Levante sub has the chance to end the game with a flourish, but he curls his effort comfortably wide. That sums up Levante's day.
FULL TIME! Real Madrid 3-0 Levante
The referee brings the game to a close and Real Madrid are top of La Liga thanks to goals from Marcelo, Ronaldo and Jese. That doesn't tell the whole story though as Levante had their fair share of chances, and had Deyverson and Roger been more accurate in front of goal, then Lucas Alcaraz's side could have left the Bernabeu with a share of the spoils.
However, Real are a different side under Benitez. They look so strong and well organised defensively. True at times they rode their luck this afternoon, but it was a mature performance from Los Blancos and their unbeaten run goes on. The afternoon belongs to Ronaldo, who made sure of his place in history (as if it was in doubt) by becoming Real Madrid's all-time top goalscorer.
That's it from me though, so thank you for joining me for what was an interesting game at the Bernabeu. Marcelo put in a man of the match peformance, and Ronaldo got back to goalscoring ways. Read all about it in the match report here.
