By Daily Sports on February 25, 2019
Real Madrid beat Levante thanks to two disputed penalties from Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale.
Benzema stepped up to score the opener after Luka Modric’s cross hit the arms of Enis Bardhi, but Roger Marti deservedly equalised, having hit the post twice in the first half.
Real got another penalty for a Cheick Doukoure foul on Casemiro, which substitute Bale scored.
The visitors had defender Nacho sent off late on for two bookings.
Levante's unused substitute Pedro Lopez was also dismissed from the bench having been booked twice for protesting at refereeing decisions.
The result takes Real to within nine points of leaders Barcelona, going into two consecutive Clasicos.
They host Barca in the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg on Wednesday, and again in La Liga on Saturday.
VAR benefits Real in close game
Levante fans felt a real sense of injustice as their side, who drop to 13th in La Liga, lost after a commendable performance and whistled the referee at every opportunity.
Official Ignacio Iglesias Villanueva initially did not award a penalty when Luka Modric’s cross hit the arms of Enis Bardhi, who had put it up to try to block his face.
He went over to a screen to watch the incident again, then gave the spot-kick which Benzema scored.
In the second half, Casemiro went down easily under pressure from Doukoure. Villanueva awarded the kick and, after discussions with the VAR officials, stuck with his decision – despite the Real Madrid midfielder appearing to dive.
To add to their grievances, they had two penalties turned down – for a Dani Carvajal foul on Jose Luis Morales and a Raphael Varane handball, with neither appearing to be referred by VAR. (BBC)
•Photo shows Real Madrid players
Source Daily Sports
Posted February 25, 2019
You may also like...
Grassroots players must listen to Aubameyang’s fine advice...
Fernando Alonso Set To Return To Formula 1...
NANPF Gets CAC Certificate For Players’ Welfare
Why Messi Wants To Leave Barcelona
De Bruyne Explains Chelsea Exit & Man City...
Stoke relegated from Premier League after loss to...
Super Falcons unveil 10-star jersey ahead of WAFCON 2026
From Sporting Lisbon to Al Nassr: Ronaldo’s records so far
WAFCON favourites Nigeria eye World Cup slot, record prize money
Wikki Tourists administrator tasks players, coaches on NPFL return
Golf: Port Harcourt to host Nigerian National Finals
I’ve had enough, sprinter Onyah threatens to dump Nigeria
Onyeka warns teammates ahead EPL opener
The real money behind football’s biggest prizes
Nigeria to host CAF General Assembly November
Lessons from the 2026 FIFA World Cup Finals
NSSF boss Joseph elected ISF Africa president
Nigeria seek final spots at ITTF Africa Youth Champs
Most Read
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,973 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (55,323 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (53,225 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,830 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,710 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,581 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,475 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,987 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (51,203 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,673 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (48,155 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,535 views)