After a nervy first half at the Estadio Bernabéu, Real Madrid stepped up in the second to secure a 2-0 victory over Levante in LaLiga’s early kickoff, marking Alvaro Arbeloa’s first win in charge and the club’s third consecutive triumph in the fixture.

The home side and Arbeloa were greeted by whistles following their recent cup humiliation at the hands of Albacete. Levante nearly capitalized immediately, with Karl Etta Eyong missing a chance in the opening minute. The tense atmosphere was mirrored on the pitch, as Kylian Mbappé’s shot was deflected for a corner and Eduardo Camavinga’s effort sailed wide.

Levante continued to test Madrid’s defense. Pablo Martinez’s free-kick was blocked by Federico Valverde, and his follow-up failed to trouble Thibaut Courtois. Aurelien Tchouameni’s long-range strike was also blocked, while the game remained largely uneventful until the half-hour mark, when Raul Asencio set up Mbappé, only for the Frenchman to misfire.

Gonzalo Garcia registered the first shot on target for Levante in the 37th minute, but Courtois saved comfortably. The visitors also had two more opportunities from free-kicks, but neither threatened the goal.

Real Madrid responded decisively after halftime with a double substitution. Arda Guler quickly made an impact, linking well with Mbappé and testing Mathew Ryan with a fizzing shot. Moments later, Guler’s clever pass drew Adrian de la Fuente into conceding a penalty, which Mbappé calmly converted to break the deadlock.

Seven minutes later, Guler was at the heart of the action again, delivering a precise corner that Raul Asencio headed powerfully into the top corner, doubling Madrid’s advantage.

Levante struggled to respond. Guler had a strike saved, Ivan Romero fired over, and Franco Mastantuono was denied by the crossbar. Jude Bellingham’s header was also saved, but the scoreline remained 2-0 as Madrid controlled the closing stages with composure.

The win provides a much-needed boost for Real Madrid after a difficult midweek, moving them just one point behind Barcelona, ahead of the league leaders’ Sunday night fixture against Real Sociedad. Levante, meanwhile, suffered their first defeat in four matches and remain 19th in the standings.