Real Madrid Femenino lose 4-0 against Levante to open the league campaign

Real Madrid Femenino were dismantled by Levante in their first league match of the season. Levante defeated Las Blancas 4-0.

Levante shredded through Real Madrid immediately. Levante put together a beautiful move that resulted in Sandie Toletti slotting the ball through to Alba Redondo. Redondo side-footed the ball past Misa at the near post to give Levante an early lead.

Las Blancas tried to settle down and get back into the match but they struggled in possession. Levante did well to stifle Las Blancas’ central progression and created various transition opportunities by turning Real Madrid over in dangerous positions.

In the 12th minute, it looked like Real Madrid would level the score. Nahikari Garcia played the ball forward and Esther ran on to it. She rounded the keeper but the whistle blew and the flag was up for offside.

Minutes later, Las Blancas registered one of their only shots on target of the match. Esther rose to meet a corner kick and headed it toward goal but it was saved.

Levante nearly doubled their lead right after halftime. They won the ball off Claudia Zornoza and went forward at pace. Real Madrid were able to deal with the attack via some last-ditch defending. But it didn’t take long for Levante to eventually score their second goal of the match.

They played a quick free kick down the line to Redondo, who cut her pass back to the top of the 18-yard box. Leire Baños received the ball, took one touch to settle, and fired the ball past Misa and into the back of the net.

Real Madrid found more success toward the end of the match with the introduction of a myriad of substitutes. They pushed for a goal and left space to be exploited at the back.

Levante would take advantage of the space and make it 3-0 in the 80th minute. Maria Alharilla settled a long ball and passed to Toletti. The French midfielder got the ball in the penalty area and squared to Redondo. The Levante attacker hit it first time to score her second goal of the match.

Olga Carmona launched from distance late in the match. The Levante keeper was able to jump and tip the shot over the crossbar. Levante would punish Las Blancas on the other end again. Tatiana Pinto shot from the top of the box and hammered the ball under the crossbar and into the net, making it 4-0.

Real Madrid Femenino must rebound quickly. They travel to Manchester to play the second leg of the UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifier on Wednesday. Las Blancas and Manchester City are tied 1-1 on aggregate. The match will kickoff at 2:00 p.m. ET (8:00 p.m. CET).