Real Madrid Edge Levante 2-0 in Arbeloa’s Bernabéu Debut

Real Madrid claimed a 2-0 La Liga victory over Levante UD at the Santiago Bernabéu, giving new head coach Álvaro Arbeloa his first win at the stadium—and on his 43rd birthday.

The result offered a morale boost after Arbeloa’s debut defeat in the Copa del Rey to Albacete and ongoing fan unrest. Kylian Mbappé broke the deadlock from the penalty spot in the 58th minute, before Marco Asensio doubled the lead in the 65th with a clinical strike. The win also marked Madrid’s first clean sheet under Arbeloa.

Promoted from coaching Castilla after Xabi Alonso’s abrupt departure on January 12, Arbeloa oversaw a second-half turnaround in a match that was goalless at halftime. A former Madrid defender with over 200 appearances and two Champions League titles, Arbeloa emphasized his bond with the club: “This is my home. I’ve been here for 20 years and I’ll stay as long as Real Madrid wants me to.”

The victory keeps Madrid in contention behind leaders Barcelona, while fan protests dominated the atmosphere. Six minutes into the game, sections of the Bernabéu crowd chanted “Florentino, resign!” directed at club president Florentino Pérez. Boos targeted players during warm-ups, and banners criticized stadium renovation delays, ticket prices, the European Super League push, and squad planning. Pérez watched calmly from the VIP box despite the backlash.

Reactions to the win were mixed—optimism about Arbeloa’s intensity and youth integration balanced against persistent supporter frustration. With Champions League action against Monaco looming, the result provides momentum but underscores the challenges ahead in aligning expectations at one of football’s most demanding clubs.