Crisis Controlled: Mbappé Silences Hostile Bernabéu as Arbeloa Secures First Win

MADRID – On a night that began with white handkerchiefs and ended with a collective sigh of relief, Real Madrid navigated a toxic atmosphere at the Santiago Bernabéu to defeat Levante 2-0. Kylian Mbappé’s second-half penalty and a header from academy graduate Raúl Asencio provided the spark to ignite the Álvaro Arbeloa era, moving Los Blancos within a single point of league leaders Barcelona.

A Homecoming in Revolt

The air inside the Bernabéu was heavy with tension long before the opening whistle. Following a disastrous week that saw the dismissal of Xabi Alonso and a humiliating Copa del Rey exit to second-division Albacete, the Madrid faithful were in no mood for forgiveness.

Loud chants demanding the resignation of President Florentino Pérez echoed throughout the stadium, while even pillars of the squad—Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Jr.—were met with a cacophony of whistles and boos during team announcements. Vinícius, visibly emotional in the tunnel, bore the brunt of the frustration as the crowd expressed their displeasure with a season that had threatened to spiral out of control.

Languid Beginnings

The first half reflected the club’s psychological scars. Real Madrid dominated 70% of possession but lacked the clinical edge required to dismantle a disciplined Levante block. Arbeloa’s tactical setup—a youthful XI with an average age under 25—initially struggled to find its rhythm, managing just six shots in the opening 45 minutes.

Mbappé, returning to the lineup after recovering from a left knee sprain, had the best chance of the half when he latched onto a pinpoint long ball from Asencio, but his volley whistled narrowly wide of Mathew Ryan’s post.

The Breakthrough and the Milestone

The complexion of the match changed in the 58th minute. Mbappé, elusive as ever, was brought down in the box by Levante’s Adrián de la Fuente. The Frenchman stepped up to the spot and calmly sent Ryan the wrong way to break the deadlock.

The goal was more than just a lead; it was history. With that strike, Kylian Mbappé reached 50 La Liga goals in just 53 appearances, becoming the second-fastest player to reach the milestone in the 21st century—trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo, who achieved the feat in 51 games.

In a moment of defiant flair, Mbappé celebrated by mimicking Mathew Ryan’s pre-penalty feints, a gesture that further polarized an already charged stadium.

Sealing the Points

Relieved of the immediate pressure, Madrid doubled their advantage in the 65th minute. Arda Güler, whose introduction from the bench provided much-needed creativity, swung in a precise corner that found the rising Raúl Asencio. The center-back’s powerful header left Ryan with no chance and effectively ended Levante's hopes of an upset.

While the fans continued to voice their frustration toward the senior stars, the names of academy products Gonzalo and Asencio were the only ones cheered, highlighting a shift in the supporters' patience.

Looking Ahead

“It’s been a bruising week,” manager Álvaro Arbeloa noted in his post-match press conference. “I’ve been booed here as a player, and I know the standards. We had to take it in our stride. Improving players like Vinícius and finding our identity is the priority now.”

The victory snaps a two-match losing streak and puts the pressure back on Barcelona, who face a difficult trip to Real Sociedad on Sunday. For now, the "Arbeloa Revolution" has liftoff, but the scars of the Bernabéu remain visible.

Final Score: Real Madrid 2 - 0 Levante

Scorers: Mbappé (58' P), Asencio (65')

Attendance: 74,210