[Fotbal] Real Madrid booed by angry fans before beating Levante in La Liga

[Mr.HiTLeR]

Kylian Mbappé (center) celebrates after scoring Real Madrid's first goal from the penalty spot in their 1-0 victory over Levante in the Spanish League, Saturday, January 17, 2026, in Madrid. (AP Photo/José Bretón) (José Bretón / Associated Press)

BARCELONA – Real Madrid were booed by disgruntled fans on Saturday before Kylian Mbappé scored a penalty to set them on the path to a 2-0 victory over Levante in La Liga.

Spectators at the Santiago Bernabéu whistled, booed, and waved white handkerchiefs before kickoff to express their anger following two consecutive defeats and the sudden change of manager.

Madrid sacked Xabi Alonso after last weekend's defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final. The Merengues then lost to second-division Albacete in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey, in the debut of Alonso's successor.

The booing was particularly directed at Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham, and there were even calls for the resignation of club president Florentino Pérez. Vinicius reportedly had a strained relationship with Alonso.

Another slip-up would have been unacceptable for Álvaro Arbeloa, who was called up from the reserve team to take charge of the first team, especially against a Levante side threatened by relegation in front of their home fans.

"We knew where we were coming from, from a very difficult week, one that wasn't easy to process. We knew how important the three points were. We won in front of our fans," Arbeloa said on the pitch.

In the post-match press conference, the coach acknowledged that the fans have the right to complain about the team's performance but also defended Vinicius.

“I’ve been booed a lot too,” Arbeloa said, recalling his past as a player. “What makes us great is the high standards of this club, and we always have to take them in stride because they know we can give much more and live up to the expectations of Real Madrid.”

“I’m going to work to get the best out of Vinicius. I’m going to demand that my players look for him,” he added about the Brazilian forward. “He’s fearless, he has character, he’s defended this club tooth and nail, he’s one of the most unpredictable players, if not the most unpredictable, in the world. What this player has done as a youngster at Real Madrid is something few have achieved. He’s going to win us many titles, as he already has.”

During the first half, Levante created as much danger as Real Madrid. Mbappé's penalty in the 58th minute broke the deadlock after the French striker was brought down by Adrián de la Fuente.

Raúl Asensio headed in an Arda Güler corner to extend the lead in the 65th minute.

Mbappé, who had only featured in one of Real Madrid's last four matches, returned to the starting lineup after recovering from a sprained left knee.

Jude Bellingham and other regular starters also returned to the starting eleven after Arbeloa left out the English midfielder and other key players in Wednesday's humiliating Copa del Rey defeat to Albacete.

Despite their struggles, Real Madrid are just one point behind league leaders Barcelona. The Blaugrana will visit Real Sociedad on Sunday.

Villarreal slips further down the table. Villarreal, third in the standings, stumbled after losing 2-0 away to Real Betis, leaving them eight points behind Barcelona.

Aitor Rubial and Pablo Fornals scored in the second half for Betis, who remained in sixth place.

Muriqi hat trick for Mallorca. Vedat Muriqi scored a hat trick to lead Mallorca to a 3-2 victory over Athletic Bilbao.

The Kosovar striker scored early, converting two penalties. He pounced on a rebound after goalkeeper Unai Simón parried the first penalty from Nico Williams to level the score at 2-2 before halftime. Muriqi then converted his second penalty with 20 minutes remaining.

Also, Osasuna defeated bottom-placed Oviedo 3-2.

Link: https://www.latimes.com/espanol/deportes/articulo/2026-01-17/real-madrid-abucheado-por-aficionados-enojados-antes-de-vencer-levante-en-la-liga