Levante vs Real Madrid: Five Classic La Liga Battles Re‑examined

Daxton Fairweather Sep 24 0

Even though Levante often lives in the shadow of giants like Real Madrid, the two clubs have produced a handful of matches that still spark debate in Madrid cafés and Valencia taverns. Below, we dig into the five classic La Liga showdowns that defined moments for both sides, then tie those histories to the latest 4‑1 win for Los Blancos in September 2025.

The Five Classic Encounters

1. 1995‑09‑23 – Levante 2 – 2 Real Madrid: A gritty draw at Estadi Ciutat de València that saw Levante’s forward Carlos García net a 90th‑minute equaliser, denying Madrid a clean sweep of the season’s opening fixtures.
2. 2002‑03‑15 – Levante 1 – 4 Real Madrid: The Santiago Bernabéu host turned the match into a showcase for Raúl’s hat‑trick, yet Levante’s lone goal, a thunderous strike from midfield, reminded everyone they could still threaten the elite.
3. 2008‑11‑07 – Levante 3 – 3 Real Madrid: A roller‑coaster ending in a last‑minute penalty saved by Iker Casillas, sealing a dramatic point for Madrid but leaving Levante fans dreaming of a turnaround.
4. 2013‑04‑21 – Levante 0 – 5 Real Madrid: Cristiano Ronaldo’s five‑goal masterclass broke the club’s record for most goals in a single La Liga match, and the defeat prompted Levante’s coach to resign.
5. 2019‑12‑14 – Levante 2 – 2 Real Madrid: A surprising resurgence where Levante, down to ten men, fought back to equalise twice, proving they could still mount resistance against the league’s powerhouse.

These games illustrate the ebb and flow of a rivalry that, while not as high‑profile as El Clásico, still carries weight for both fanbases.

Recent Developments and Overall Stats

Fast‑forward to September 2025: Real Madrid thumped Levante 4‑1 at the Bernabéu, with Vinícius Júnior scoring a brace and the midfield orchestrating relentless pressure. The result sits atop a head‑to‑head ledger that heavily favours Madrid – 55 wins, 10 draws, and 15 victories for Levante since their first meeting in 1954.

While the numbers underscore a clear dominance, each classic match listed above reminds us that football’s charm lies in its unpredictability. Levante’s occasional sparks have kept the fixture alive, guaranteeing that future meetings will be watched with a blend of hope and caution by both camps.