A10ción: Real Madrid Earns 10-Point Cushion

Real Madrid (pen.44', 49', 57' Cristiano, 66' Benzema) 4 - 2 (5' Cabral, 63' Kone) Levante

Los Blancos had the opportunity to earn a 10-point cushion over Barça with a win over Levante tonight.  Real Madrid currently stands as the only side in La Liga to have won all games so far in 2012, looking to keep the streak up to earn their 19^th victory this season.  Levante has not won any games in 2012, but are having a great season, holding 4^th place – their best run ever – on the tables.  But it would have been a grave mistake to underestimate Levante.  Remember, or forget like this Madridista chooses, the events at the Estadio Ciudad de Valencia on September 18^th where Madrid lost to Levante 1-0.  Would the men get those 3 points?

 Levante opened up the score sheet at the 5' minute mark, Gustavo Cabral with a header to the bottom left corner following a set piece.  While Cabral and his teammates celebrated, Iker Casillas looked quite crushed as he crumpled to the ground, the ball sailing overhead.  Los Blancos pressed forward and put a lot of pressure on Levante's defense, however attempts on the home side were either blocked or saved.  Speaking of defense, where was Real Madrid's?  The visitors got close to San Iker's box one too many times for this writer's liking, September 18^th looming heavily on her mind.

Things looked better for los Blancos at the 43' minute when Levante conceded a penalty with a handball in the penalty area.  It would be Vicente Iborra's 2^nd yellow of the evening, forcing a red, Levante now having to play a man down.  RM's Cristiano Ronaldo would take the penalty, as expected.  The Portuguese international converted the penalty with a right-footed shot to the bottom right corner at the 44'. 

The Bernabéu cheered loudly as the 2^nd half kicked off with a bang.  Cristiano scored his second of the evening at the 49' with a header to the bottom left corner, Gonzalo Higuaín at the assist with a fantastic cross.  It seemed that two goals were not enough.  Cristiano scored yet again – earning a hattrick – at the 57' with a right-footed shot to the top right corner, fellow Portuguese international, Fábio Coentrão, at the assist.  Real Madrid could not have asked for a better 4000^th goal at the Bernabéu.  Furthermore, this hattrick was Cristiano's 6^th for the season.  ¡Felicidades, crack!

Levante would not take this lying down, however, scoring at the 63' with a header from Arouna Koné to the bottom right corner, Óscar Serrano at the assist with a cross.  As fellow Focus Football contributor Janina Montoya put it, "Can they not remontada our remontada?"  Not to worry, Madridistas.  Karim Benzema earned us a fourth at the 66' with a right-footed shot to the bottom right corner, Cristiano at the assist.  My, my... looks like someone wants to be Man of the Match!  Not only does he give us hattricks, he gives us amazing assists!

Los Blancos go ten points clear at the top of the league with a 4-2 win over Levante.  The men now prepare themselves for their next match up against Racing Santander, Saturday, February 18, at the Santiago Bernabéu.  Until then, ¡Hala Madrid!

Written by Gail Hidalgo