Real Madrid maintain momentum with drubbing of Levante

Real Madrid have come from behind to hammer Levante as they maintained their dominant form before their Champions League quarter-final second leg against Galatasaray.

Miguel Alfonso launched and polished off a counterattack to put Levante ahead in the 31st minute but Gonzalo Higuaín’s exquisite volley from Xabi Alonso’s pass pulled Madrid level five minutes later, and Kaká grabbed the lead in the 39th with a penalty after Christian Lell handled in the area.

Ronaldo went on after half-time, having rested for Tuesday’s Champions League tie in Turkey where his team will defend a 3-0 cushion. Mesut Ozil and Angel Di María soon followed.

“The series isn’t over. If we go with the ambition to score a goal, we will go through fine,” Ronaldo said. “The team was playing well but after the 1-0 anything could have happened. They responded well with two goals. Then I came on and contributed with a goal and an assist. We’re all happy.”

The Levante coach Juan Ignacio Martínez also made three substitutions to refresh his attack but the plan backfired as his defence crumbled under Madrid’s pressure and turned a dignified defeat into a humbling rout.

Ronaldo was left unmarked in the heart of the area in the 84th to receive a pass from Higuaín and fire home his 29th league goal of the season. Ozil was likewise unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box to push in short passes from Ronaldo in the 87th minute and Di María in stoppage time.

The Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas watched from the dugout after being included in Real’s squad for the first time since breaking his hand in January. The coach José Mourinho has said that Diego López is his first-choice keeper.