Nervy Real Madrid hang on to win as Hazard makes debut

Three points for Real Madrid as Zidane's side secured their first win at home in the 2019-20 LaLiga campaign.

With the home side in cruise control following a fine brace from Karim Benzema and a Casemiro tap in, no-one in the rain swept Santiago Bernabéu, not even the most optimistic Levante fans could have imagined that come the 90th minute the home side would be pleading for the final whistle.  

An early second half strike from Mayoral offered a glimmer of home for Paco Lopez's side as Madrid managed to recover the tempo of the action with big simmer signing Eden Hazard making his debut. 

A Melero header on the 79th mark saw an eerie silence fall over the Bernabeu as Levante forged looking for an equaliser but poor finishing and a fine stop from Courtois in time added on depriving Vezo saw Zidane's men hang on to secure the victory.

The whistle rings out and Madrid hang on to secure the first 3 points of the season as Levante fall to their first defeat of the campaign.    

Morales tries to cross but miscues and drives the ball into the side netting

Campaña to take and set to float the ball into the box. Great save from Courtois to deny a Levante goal.

Militao crashes into Mayoral and Levante warn a dangerous free. 

Clerc the second Levante player in the book for a trip on Hazard.

5' of time to be added.

Time running out here for a memorable turnaround from Levante as Madrid seem to have ridden the wave of nerves the second goal caused.

Zidane possibly thinking of the Wednesday game in Paris (UCL) a little too soon... 

Jovic on for Benzema who recieves an ovation from the Bernabeu.

James goes close with a left footed effort with the Colombian driving over. 

Levante break as Lucas Vazquez makes a mess of a breaking ball. Ten left here at a nervous Bernabeu.

Vezo carded for a rash challenge on Hazard.

A player with a  "compact stature" is how Jorge Valdano describes Hazard. Not sure if that is a compliment or not !  

Melero fires off target as a few whistles ring out at the ground from home fans.  

15' left as an uneasy calm falls over the stadium.

Fine counter from Madrid robbing Levante in their own box and winning a corner.

20' remaining at the Bernabeu as Vinicius forces a fine stop from Aitor.  

An offensive change from Levante boss Paco Lopez.

Rochina also off for Levante, Marti on 

Roger on / Duarte off

Any initative that Levante had following the Mayoral goal has evaporated with Madrid back in charge of the action.

Hazard looking sharp as he forces a fine stop from Aitor. The Belgian looking much fitter and in better shape than he did during the summer.

Correct call from the match official. No goal. As we were. 

VAR taking its time to make the decision. 

James appeared to be in an offside position in the action leading up to the goal. 

VAR to be consulted to ratify the call.

The ball is in the net but the goal has been chalked off

Ramos off- Militao on (RMCF)

Hazard debuts.

Hazard on-Casemiro off: First change for Real Madrid as the Belgian makes his competitive debut

Hazard time imminet....

Benzema strikes the post with a fine right footed effort.  

Vukcevic off-Bardhi on (LUD) change

First change imminent with Paco Lopez poised to shufflñe his deck

Back to back corners for the visitors with the goal offering a brief glimmer of hope for the Valencia based side.

Morales finds himself on the by-line and cuts back to Casemiro insetad of a red and blue shirt. 

A brief VAR check for a possible offside but the goal stands.

Levante concede a free kick and with the visitors half asleep, Madrid take quickly and James almost finds Benzema for #4.   

Off we go at the Bernabeu.. Is there any way back from Levante?

Benzema now on four LaLiga goals for the season

Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea calls time on the half with Madrid comfortable at the interval.

We'll have 2 mins. of time added on.

Paco Lopez's men have been hugely disappointing. A bright start has been overshadowed by a bleak 30' where they have been outclassed by the men from the capital.

VAR check ongoing as the fans whistle and finally the goal has been awarded. 

Vinicius with the assist and an easy finish for the Brazilian, unmarked and slotting home.

Lucas Vazquez carded for back chat. 

We're certainly witnessing the best display of the season so far from Zidane's men. Levante doing their bit too to help the men in white by offering a poor display despite a bright start.  

The defender is back on his feet and back on the pitch. 

Marcelo falls akwardly and seems to be in trouble. The Brazilian now being atttended to.

Marcelo falls akwardly and seems to be in trouble. The Brazilian now being atttended to.

Levante almost reply with a dangerous ball fizzing into the box but no-one in a red and blue shirt on hand to tap home.

James feed the French striker who left foots it past Aitor.

Ramos appeals for a yellow card for Vezo for a tug on the Madrid No. 4. Ref having nothing of it.

Casemiro takes out Mayoral and deserves a deserved yellow.

Passing effectiveness level: Real Madrid 79-56 Levante (%)

No major surprises with the timing of the goal as Madrid have been knocking on the door for the past ten minutes.

Fine assist from Carvajal in providing the service for the forward.

Total domination now as the men in white stroke the ball around with poise and purpose. Levante now struggling to retain any form of possession.  

Lucas Vazquez breaks into the area and fires a right footed drive off the post. Levante on the ropes now. 

Shots: Real Madrid 5-1 Levante

Great turn and shot from Benzema with the save from Aitor equally as sensational.

Possession on the 20' mark:

Vukcevic getting attention after a collision with Casemiro. Free in favour of the Valencia based side. 

Real Madrid still far from being the fine tuned machine that the Bernabeu faithful aspire to see. Too many stray passes and poor decision making still undermining the side.

Vinicius wins a corner kick for his side as Kroos unleashes a fierce drive which Aitor has to palm away. Great effort from the German player. 

Morales wins a corner for the visitors who look far from overawed by the occasion.

Paco Lopez has opted for the practical rain jacket with Zidane seemingly content to let his smart and sharp looking suit get wet.

Levante break again and Varane is called into action to clear. The visitors looking bright down the right.

Bright start from the visitors as they win a dangerous free. Ramos the culprit and Rochina to take as the ball fizzes across the face of Courtois' goal.

Plenty of gaps appearing at the pitch side (and unprotected seats) as rain starts to fall with intensity.

Benzema with the first chance of the day lashing a left footed effort which is no trouble for Aitor in the Levante goal.

De Burgos Bengotxea is our match official this afternoon and the Catalan sounds his whistle and we're off !

Rain starts to fall in Madrid as both sides emerge from the tunnel. Real Madrid in their traditional all white with Levante in their red and blue blue shorts and socks.

Star of his won Amazon Prime documentary series, Sergio Ramos goes through the paces in the pre-match warm up. 

Great chance for the Colombian to make an impression today with few thinking the midfielder would be at the club in pre-season.

Real Madrid clear favourites this afternoon with a home win paying out at 1.28 per euro placed.

A draw at 6/1 and away win 10/1

Will the Levante fans be able to belt out a rendition of "Morales on Fire" this afternoon? "El Comandante" is Levante UD's top scorer ever in the top flight.

The players have terminated their warm up and return to the dressing room. Just over 10' to kick-off.

Kubo scarves still available from the stalls outside the Bernabeu.

Interesting stat from TSFP host Phil Kitro.

Real Madrid have been badly hit by injuries with a threadbare midfield today with Valverde the latest casualty for Zidane.

These are scenes that I'm sure no Real Madrid fan wants to see a repeat of today with the corresponsing fixture last season ending in a 1-2 win for the men from Valencia.

The Santiago Bernabeu pitch in fine condition ahead of today's game 

Six of Real Madrid's new signings start on the bench today: Hazard, Militao, Jovic, Mendy, Rodrygo &y Areola

A grey afternoon in Madrid with a 60% chance of showers during the match

This is how the LaLiga table looks prior to the Bernabéu clash with Levante in fourth place, one ahead of hosts Real Madrid.

Kick-off at the Santiago Bernabeu is 13:00 CEST and we'll have all the pre-match info, team news etc ahead of the start.

Hello and a warm welcome to our live coverage from the Spanish capital as Real Madrid face Levante UD.