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Levante 2-2 Real Madrid: Zidane stunned in stoppage time

  • Real Madrid missed out on the chance to overtake Valencia and move into third in the La Liga table
  • Real captain Sergio Ramos headed in the opening goal for Zinedine Zidane's side inside 11 minutes
  • The home side stunned Real and were level before half time through Emmanuel Boateng
  • Isco was substituted on after 66 minutes and would score Real's second with less than 10 minutes to
  • Levante sent on Giampaolo Pazzini late on, who went on to score the all-important equaliser

By Pete Jenson for MailOnline

Published: 21:37 GMT, 3 February 2018 | Updated: 22:01 GMT, 3 February 2018

Real Madrid's La Liga misery continued with two more points dropped, this time in Levante. They were undone by the sort of sloppy defending that will have Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani rubbing their hands.

Paris Saint Germain arrive at the Santiago Bernabeu in 11 days. Zinedine Zidane wants his team on a confident run of wins going into that season make-or-break Champions League double header. Instead he watched another underwhelming display.

In attack, Madrid struggled to break Levante down and Cristiano Ronaldo was a disgruntled late change from Zidane. And in defence Madrid were laid bare time and again and finally breached for the 2-2 equaliser on 89 minutes.

Cristiano Ronaldo lets out a hurt smile as Real Madrid drop yet more La Liga points with a draw at Levante

Cristiano Ronaldo lets out a hurt smile as Real Madrid drop yet more La Liga points with a draw at Levante

Madrid were stunned on the brink of half time when Emmanuel Boateng netted a surprise equaliser for the hostsMadrid were stunned on the brink of half time when Emmanuel Boateng netted a surprise equaliser for the hosts

Madrid were stunned on the brink of half time when Emmanuel Boateng netted a surprise equaliser for the hosts

The La Liga giants missed out on an opportunity to overtake Valencia into second behind Atletico MadridThe La Liga giants missed out on an opportunity to overtake Valencia into second behind Atletico Madrid

The La Liga giants missed out on an opportunity to overtake Valencia into second behind Atletico Madrid

Zinedine Zidane's side are feeling the pressure again as their hosts scored the equaliser in the dying moments of the gameZinedine Zidane's side are feeling the pressure again as their hosts scored the equaliser in the dying moments of the game

Zinedine Zidane's side are feeling the pressure again as their hosts scored the equaliser in the dying moments of the game

Substitute Giampaolo Pazzini's 89th-minute equaliser secured a historic result for the minnows over the championsSubstitute Giampaolo Pazzini's 89th-minute equaliser secured a historic result for the minnows over the champions

Substitute Giampaolo Pazzini's 89th-minute equaliser secured a historic result for the minnows over the champions

Madrid were ahead after 12 minutes with Ramos heading a Toni Kroos corner past Oier. It was his first league goal of the season.

Karim Benzema had thrown himself at the ball as Ramos' header bounced down but he had made no contact only managing to distract Oier.

Madrid have missed the attacking contribution of their defensive players this season but against Levante both full-backs Marcelo and Dani Carvajal were flying forward and Ramos had his goal.

Ramos was on the scoresheet – the first defender to score in 14 consecutive seasons in La Liga – and he was soon in the book too with a forearm into the face of Emmanuel Boateng. The Levante forward had put his hands in the defender's face first.

Madrid failed to take full advantage of their first-half domination and when Levante broke away three minutes before half time they scored. Jose Morales chased a long ball forward that Ramos completely misread and when Keylor Navas saved his shot it rebounded out to Boateng whose crisp accurate finish put the home side level.

MATCH FACTS, GOALSCORERS AND LA LIGA TABLE

Levante (4-5-1): Oier; Coke, Roberto Suarez, Postigo, Luna; Morales, Lerma (Roger 68), Lukic, Doukoure, Alvarez (Pazzini 76); Boateng (Jason 59)

Subs not used: Bardhi, Cabaco, Lopez, Ojeda

Goals: Boateng 42; Pazzini 89

Booked: Doukoure 13; Alvarez 26; Coke 87

Real Madrid (4-3-3): Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos (Lucas 90); Bale (Isco 65), Benzema, Ronaldo (Asensio 81)

Subs not used: Nacho, Casilla, Hernandez, Kovacic

Goals: Ramos 11; Isco 81

Booked: Ramos 21; Asensio 83; Varane 90

Real captain Sergio Ramos shows his love for the La Liga giants' supporters with a heart after scoring the openerReal captain Sergio Ramos shows his love for the La Liga giants' supporters with a heart after scoring the opener

Real captain Sergio Ramos shows his love for the La Liga giants' supporters with a heart after scoring the opener

Cristiano Ronaldo drives forward with the ball as he looks to double Zinedine Zidane's side's leadCristiano Ronaldo drives forward with the ball as he looks to double Zinedine Zidane's side's lead

Cristiano Ronaldo drives forward with the ball as he looks to double Zinedine Zidane's side's lead

Karim Benzema was left to rue an early miss as he ran through on goal shortly before the visitors levelled the tieKarim Benzema was left to rue an early miss as he ran through on goal shortly before the visitors levelled the tie

Karim Benzema was left to rue an early miss as he ran through on goal shortly before the visitors levelled the tie

Levante manager Juan Ramon Lopez Muniz went in at half time happy with the game in the balanceLevante manager Juan Ramon Lopez Muniz went in at half time happy with the game in the balance

Levante manager Juan Ramon Lopez Muniz went in at half time happy with the game in the balance

There was another example of Madrid's questionable defending at the restart when they went from a corner at the Levante end to defending for their lives at the other end in a matter of seconds. Navas saved well but Madrid were now wide open to the quick Levante counter attack.

With no sign of Madrid breaking Levante down Zidane made his first change and it was Gareth Bale who made way for Isco on 66 minutes. Since his return from injury he is yet to play a full game in La Liga – he's clearly being protected ahead of the visit of PSG.

The change came just before Madrid's best second half chances when Marcelo played in Benzema who glided past three in the area but saw his shot go out for a corner. Ramos headed Kroos' resulting corner goalwards but Oier threw himself to his left to make a fine save.

When the goal came it was Isco's right boot that delivered it. Benzema chased Carvajal's pass to the byline and then pulled the ball back to the midfielder who was 12 yards out when he scored to put Madrid ahead.

Zidane immediately took off Ronaldo and it seemed like a change he was planning even before the goal. Ronaldo grinned as he trotted off. He knew the focus would now be on how he reacted. He told a camera on the touchline that was focused on him to 'watch the game' instead.

Back on the pitch Levante were not beaten and Roger should have headed them level but he sent his effort the wrong side of the post. Another chance soon came along with substitute Giampaolo Pazzini getting between Raphael Varane and Carvajal to make it 2-2 despite Navas getting a hand to his shot.

Ronaldo is denied a second for the visitors by goalkeeper Oier who smothers the ball at the forward's feetRonaldo is denied a second for the visitors by goalkeeper Oier who smothers the ball at the forward's feet

Ronaldo is denied a second for the visitors by goalkeeper Oier who smothers the ball at the forward's feet

The Portuguese superstar was at the centre of most of Real's best opportunities but was unable to find the netThe Portuguese superstar was at the centre of most of Real's best opportunities but was unable to find the net

The Portuguese superstar was at the centre of most of Real's best opportunities but was unable to find the net

The Real striker was withdrawn by Zidane for Marco Asensio shortly before Isco would come on to score late onThe Real striker was withdrawn by Zidane for Marco Asensio shortly before Isco would come on to score late on

The Real striker was withdrawn by Zidane for Marco Asensio shortly before Isco would come on to score late on

Goalscorer Ramos had his headed attempt for his second of the game well-saved by Oier with the tie still levelGoalscorer Ramos had his headed attempt for his second of the game well-saved by Oier with the tie still level

Goalscorer Ramos had his headed attempt for his second of the game well-saved by Oier with the tie still level

Isco celebrates with team-mate Benzema after scoring what they thought would be the match winner after 81 minutesIsco celebrates with team-mate Benzema after scoring what they thought would be the match winner after 81 minutes

Isco celebrates with team-mate Benzema after scoring what they thought would be the match winner after 81 minutes

Levante defender Roger Pier runs to celebrate Pazzini's game-settling strike as the Real players despair at the resultLevante defender Roger Pier runs to celebrate Pazzini's game-settling strike as the Real players despair at the result

Levante defender Roger Pier runs to celebrate Pazzini's game-settling strike as the Real players despair at the result

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