La Liga: Real Madrid, Barca held, Atletico win

Real Madrid could only salvage a 3-3 draw at Levante in their second La Liga game of the 2020/21 season on Sunday. Gareth Bale fired Madrid into an early lead in the 5th minute firing home from a Karim Benzema pass. However, an inspired Levante comeback in the second half meant Madrid was down within 15 minutes of the restart with Roger Marti and Jose Campana scoring for the home side.

Brazilian midfielder Casemiro set up compatriot Vinicius for Madrid’s second goal but Levante regained their lead quickly through Robert Pier. It was Vinicius who saved Madrid from jaws of defeat equalizing in the 83rd minute.

Things turned worse for Levante soon after Madrid’s equaliser as their goalkeeper Aitor Fernandez was sent off. By the time of the dismissal, Levante had used all of their substitutions and was forced to play their central defender Ruben Vezo. Ultimately, they kept an injury-stricken Madrid side, without the likes of Toni Kroos and Modric, at bay to gain a hard-earned point against a fancied opponent.

Earlier on Saturday, Catalan giants FC Barcelona were held to a 1-1 draw against Athletic Bilbao. After a goalless first half, Inigo Martinez gave Bilbao a 50th-minute lead. The Basque side dominated Barcelona for 70 minutes but their domination turned out to be fruitless at the end as Memphis Depay scored his first-ever goal for Barcelona to salvage a point for the Catalan giants. Eric Garcia was sent off for Barcelona in the final minutes of the game.

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