Played
November 11, 2012 9:30 PM WAT
Estadio Ciudad de Valencia — Valencia
Referee:‬ César Muñiz‎
Attendance:‬ 20805‎
 
62′ Ángel
 
Morata 84′
   
 
 

Player Ratings: Levante 1-2 Real Madrid

Goal.com rates the players on show as a late Alvaro Morata header proves decisive after Xabi Alonso had failed to put Los Blancos in the driving seat from the penalty spot

By Tom Webber

  • Gustavo Adolfo Munúa
    4
    6
    3.50

    Gustavo Adolfo Munúa

    Could do little to keep out Ronaldo's effort and was rarely tested again for the first-half. He was fortunate Ramos did not capitalise on his spill on the hour mark but he kept his side level, for a while, with a fantastic penalty stop from Alonso.

  • David Navarro
    2
    7
    1.50

    David Navarro Flop of the Match

    Caught Ronaldo early on with a nasty elbow and seemed lost in defence. He failed to stay tight to Ballesteros and allowed players past him with ease. His late challenge offered Madrid a penalty and he was fortunate that Alonso did not convert.

  • Juan García García
    3
    2
    2.50

    Juan García García

    Failed to connect with a glorious chance in the fifth minute which would have had serious ramifications on the game. He could not get forward to support the attacks and was beaten too many times down the line.

  • Ballesteros
    4
    1
    3.00

    Ballesteros

    A stout defensive display from the tough Levante defender. He was uncompromising at the back and made some fierce challenges. However, his poor header offered Ronaldo the chance to net the opener, and the Portuguese obliged.

  • Pedro López
    1
    4
    2.50

    Pedro López

    Had a fairly routine first-half as Madrid failed to threaten down the wings. He was completely outplayed by Di Maria and Callejon's interplay in the second-half and allowed them in behind time and again.

  • Barkero
    2
    1
    3.00

    Barkero

    A competent display in the hole behind the striker. Barkero used the ball well, supplying a great pass into Martins which the Nigerian flicked on for Angel's goal. He perhaps could have created more chances though.

  • Iborra
    2
    2
    3.00

    Iborra

    Iborra showed admirable determination to disrupt the play of Madird in midfield. However, he did concede some needless free kicks in dangerous areas which only served to cause his side more trouble.

  • Juan Gómez López
    3
    1
    3.50

    Juan Gómez López

    Should really have put his side ahead early on but he failed to keep his effort down from 10 yards out. He continued to look for the ball and was only denied an exquisite second-half goal by a brilliant save from Casillas.

  • Diop
    3
    0
    3.00

    Diop

    Was very strong in the midfield and made some very robust, but fair, tackles. He was unable to supply the ball to forwards, instead opting to fire it long. He kept his team in the game on the hour mark with a goal-line stop to keep out Ramos' effort.

  • Nabil El Zhar
    2
    1
    2.50

    Nabil El Zhar

    Rarely got a chance to run at Coentrao in the awful conditions. He grew frustrated and earned himself a booking for a show of petulance. He had no more luck in the second-half.

  • Obafemi Martins
    28
    8
    3.00

    Obafemi Martins

    Caused a real nuisance as Levante had Madrid on the back foot for a brief spell at the start of the game. The service soon dried up but the Nigerian stayed positive and made a delightful goal for Angel.

Substitutions

  • Míchel
    0
    1

    Míchel

    Came on for Barkero in the 86th minute and failed to impact the game.

  • Rubén
    0
    1

    Rubén

    Could not influence proceedings in the four minutes of time he was offered as Diop's replacement.

  • Ángel
    5
    1
    3.50

    Ángel

    Replaced El Zhar in the 55th minute and provided a fresh option in attack. He did well to hold off the challenge of Pepe and took his goal brilliantly.

  • Iker Casillas
    23
    3
    3.50

    Iker Casillas

    Lacked communication with his defenders at the start but more than atoned for that with some absolutely brilliant saves at the start of the second-half. Had it not been for his stop from Juanlu, it could have been a very different game.

  • Pepe
    18
    4
    2.50

    Pepe

    Looked very hesitant and unsure in the early exchanges but soon adapted to the conditions. He saw a header come back off the bar early in the first-half but was outmuscled by Angel for Levante's equaliser.

  • Sergio Ramos
    22
    2
    3.50

    Sergio Ramos

    Was dominant in the air and made sure that he was first to any ball towards his defence. He kept a close eye on Martins throughout, limiting his effect for the most part, and was only denied a goal by a mixture of Diop and the bar.

  • Fabio Coentrao
    28
    5
    3.50

    Fabio Coentrao

    The left-back kept El Zhar under wraps for the first-half and continued his impressive display in the second period. He did not let a single thing past him and the Blancos faithful will be grateful for his return.

  • Arbeloa
    18
    2
    3.00

    Arbeloa

    A relatively quiet night for the full-back. He could not get forward as much as he usually does but was faced with very little down his flank. A simple evening was cut short as he made way for Kaka.

  • Mesut Özil
    16
    7
    3.00

    Mesut Özil

    Did try to link up the play with some quick passing but it was ultimately wasted on the sodden pitch. His craft was worth almost nothing as both sides resorted to sending the ball long, though his pass set Callejon free ahead of the penalty.

  • Xabi Alonso
    22
    1
    3.00

    Xabi Alonso

    Sent in a great delivery in the build up to Ronaldo's strike and regularly looked to pick out the wide men with some long passes. Should have scored from the spot but did supply another great cross for Morata's winner.

  • Michael Essien
    25
    3
    3.00

    Michael Essien

    Gave a good account of himself in the middle with some very strong tackles. He also looked to get forward and support the attackers and was unlucky to see the ball get stuck under his feet when in some great areas.

  • Callejón
    20
    2
    3.50

    Callejón

    Did well to draw a number of fouls for his team, enabling them to test the Levante defence from set plays. He did not stop running for his side and won them a penalty in the closing stages.

  • Ángel Di María
    19
    6
    3.00

    Ángel Di María

    The Argentine was unable to utilise his typically brilliant dribbling as the ball was repeatedly held up by standing water on the pitch. It limited his effectiveness in the wide areas throughout.

  • Cristiano Ronaldo
    35
    6
    3.50

    Cristiano Ronaldo

    Made sure to test Munua early on with a decent effort but was forced off soon after following an horrific elbow to the eye. Recovered well and managed to get on the scoresheet with a very intelligent finish before being substituted at half-time.

Substitutions

  • Raúl Albiol Tortajada
    5
    11
    2.50

    Raúl Albiol Tortajada

    Was brought on for Ronaldo at half-time in order to tighten things up but had the opposite effect. He failed to close down Juanlu almost immediately and offered the forward another chance late on with an awful error.

  • Kaká
    33
    2
    3.50

    Kaká

    Came on for Arbeloa in the 70th minute and got Madrid playing football again. He was eager to get on the ball and helped them move forward and win the game.

  • Morata
    38
    0
    4.00

    Morata Top of the Match

    Replaced Ozil in the 83rd minute but rescued his team from falling further behind Barcelona with his first touch. A brilliant header was his first goal for the club, and a potentially crucial one.

Results
 
Player Ratings
Tournament
Position
Ranking
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Lionel Messi Lionel Messi
Striker
Barcelona
46 4
Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker
Real Madrid
34 6
Radamel Falcao Radamel Falcao
Striker
Atl. Madrid
28 8
Roberto Soldado Roberto Soldado
Striker
Valencia
21 5
Negredo Negredo
Striker
Sevilla
20 3