Real Madrid couldn’t manage more than a 3-3 draw at Levante in the Spanish league on Sunday despite playing nearly 10 minutes when Levante was forced to have a defender as its goalkeeper.
Madrid failed to get a shot on target after Levante goalkeeper Aitor Fernndez was sent off in the 87th minute for using his hands outside the area to stop a breakaway. Defender Ruben Vezo took over as goalkeeper because the hosts had already made all five substitutions, but he didn’t have to make any saves in the remainder of regulation and stoppage time.
Madrid had opened the scoring in the first half with Gareth Bale, but the visitors had to come from behind twice after halftime to salvage the draw with a pair of goals by Vincius Jnior.
The result left defending champion Atletico Madrid as the only team with two victories to start the season. Diego Simeone’s team edged Elche 1-0 at home earlier Sunday. Barcelona was held by Athletic Bilbao 1-1 on Saturday. Sevilla can also win two in a row when it visits Getafe on Monday.
CORREA LEADS AGAIN
Atletico Madrid won with Angel Correa again playing a leading role in Luis Suarez’s absence. Correa scored a first-half winner for his third goal in two matches while starting in place of Suarez, who began on the bench again.
A limited crowd of nearly 25,000 was on hand in the first Spanish league match with fans at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium since March last year before the coronavirus pandemic. Atletico presented last seasons league trophy to the fans before the match.
We need the fans, Simeone said. It had been a year and a half without them. It was amazing to be able to show them last seasons trophy. Its great to be able to play with them in our stadium again.
Correa added to his scoring streak in the 39th after a long pass by Rodrigo de Paul, the Argentina midfielder added to the squad in the offseason. Elche goalkeeper Kiko Casilla beat Correa to the ball but whiffed his clearing attempt, leaving the Argentina forward with an easy shot from inside the area.
Correa had scored both Atletico goals in the teams 2-1 win at Celta Vigo in the opener.
Suarez, Atletico’s leading scorer after joining from Barcelona last season, came into the match in the 63rd, replacing Thomas Lemar.
Elche had opened with a 0-0 home draw against Athletic Bilbao.
OYAZARBAL’S WINNER
Real Sociedad rebounded from an opening loss at Barcelona by beating promoted Rayo Vallecano 1-0 thanks to a 68th-minute penalty from Mikel Oyarzabal. Rayo Vallecano had lost 3-0 at Sevilla in its opener.
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