Kylian Mbappé netted a crucial penalty in the second half as beleaguered Real Madrid secured a 2-0 win over Levante in a tense LaLiga match at the Bernabeu.
Alvaro Arbeloa, who stepped in as manager after Xabi Alonso’s unexpected exit following the team’s defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup, called for the support of the club’s fans ahead of Saturday’s clash.
However, the players faced a hostile atmosphere from the fans, coming off a disappointing exit from the Copa del Rey at the hands of lower-tier Albacete just days earlier.
The crowd unleashed a barrage of boos, and many fans waved white handkerchiefs in protest as the players left the pitch at halftime, with club president Florentino Perez also receiving criticism.
Mbappé came to Real’s rescue by winning and converting a penalty in the 57th minute, before Raúl Asencio quickly added a second goal just eight minutes later.
Despite the victory, the intense atmosphere serves as a stark reminder for Arbeloa of the challenges he faces in regaining the fans’ trust.
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The win brings Los Blancos within one point of Barcelona, who are set to face Real Sociedad on Sunday.
This tumultuous week saw Alonso leave by mutual consent on Monday, merely eight months after taking over from Carlo Ancelotti, following their defeat to Barcelona in the Super Cup.
Arbeloa was appointed immediately as head coach and experienced a stoppage time 3-2 loss against Albacete in his first match at the helm.
Facing Levante, who sit near the bottom of the table, Real struggled until halftime amid the tension from their supporters.
Mbappé’s decisive moment came in the 57th minute when he was fouled in the box by Adrián de la Fuente, successfully converting the penalty past Levante’s goalkeeper Mathew Ryan for his 30th goal of the season.
Asencio made it 2-0 in the 65th minute with a powerful header from an Arda Guler corner.
Jude Bellingham came close to extending the lead, but Ryan managed to deflect his header away from goal, and shortly after, Franco Mastantuono hit the crossbar as Real put the pressure on their rivals Barcelona.