Real Madrid draw 3-3 at epic Levante encounter

Gareth Bale scored his first goal in almost two years for Real Madrid in LaLiga on Sunday but substitute Vinicius Jr stole the show with two late strikes to grab a 3-3 draw at Levante in a game that had it all.

Bale got Real off to a fine start in the fifth minute and Carlo Ancelotti's side dominated the rest of the first half but found themselves 2-1 down early in the second period. Levante striker Roger Marti beat Thibaut Courtois to level in the first minute after the interval before Jose Campana put the hosts in front with a sensational volley in the 57th. Ancelotti took off Bale, Eden Hazard and Isco moments after the goal and substitute Vinicius had a prompt impact, levelling in the 73rd minute with a coolly taken finish following a defence-splitting through ball from deep by Casemiro. Levante restored their lead in the 79th though Roger Pier following a free kick but Vinicius again came to Real's rescue, levelling in the 85th minute with an audacious shot in off the post from a tight angle. More chaos was to come as Levante keeper Aitor Fernandez was sent off for flying out of his area and handling the ball to stop a Real counter, leaving defender Ruben Vezo to don the gloves and protect the goal for the remaining few minutes. Because Levante had used all their substitutes, defender Ruben Vezo went in goal but Real could not find a winner. “He has qualities, he's very fast, he's young, he's a great striker,” said Ancelotti of the Brazilian, but he refused to say if Vinicius would start the next game, which could cost Bale his place. “I don't give so much importance to who starts the game or not. It's not that important. Today, Vinicius changed the match with his freshness.”

“What we lacked was in the defence, not in attack,” said Ancelotti saying his team needed to work on their “defensive commitment.”  Earlier in Madrid, Angel Correa continued his torrid form for Atletico. A week after striking twice in a 2-1 victory in the opening round at Celta Vigo, the diminutive Argentinian striker struck again in the 39th minute. Atletico, who won the title in a season played behind closed doors, finally got to share their trophy with their fans. For the first time in 18 months there was a crowd at the Wanda Metropolitano on Sunday, where 24,926 were allowed in. The home club also presented summer signing Rodrigo de Paul.  The Argentinian international midfielder was willing to help out in defence and assisted on his compatriot's goal, with a pass very like the one with which he set up Angel di Maria for Argentina's winner in the Copa America final against Brazil in July. De Paul lofted the ball over the visiting defence and into the path of the sprinting Correa.  The striker eluded an untidy challenge on the edge of the penalty area by Elche goalkeeper Kiko Casilla, ran on to the ball, steadied himself and then placed a shot past the backpedalling defenders with the outside of his boot. “He is very fast, he is vertical, he can turn around like nobody else, he is dangerous because you can't touch him,” said Atletico coach Diego Simeone of Correa.