Ben Hayward: Ronaldo comes to rescue, but Real Madrid looks nowhere near ready for Clasico

There was no refereeing controversy this time. Real Madrid's last-gasp win at Elche recently had come about thanks largely to the helping hand of match official Cesar Muniz Fernandez, who awarded a highly-contentious penalty deep into added time. On this occasion, however, it was more Madrid's fight and unwillingness to lie down that brought the reward of a late leveller and, subsequently, a 94th-minute winner.

Carlo Ancelotti's side had looked second best for most of the night, twice going behind to a spirited and hard-working Levante side. But like last season, Alvaro Morata popped up with a last-minute effort - this time to level the score - and Cristiano Ronaldo then hit home via a deflection to seal a sensational 3-2 win.

Ronaldo rescued Real's fast-faltering hopes of winning La Liga and the strike spared Ancelotti's blushes, yet it could not hide a multitude of sins on another depressing night's football for the capital club. Marca described Madrid's performance as "dreadful," noting that the team had played with the "spirit" they have always shown - if "little else." "Ronaldo and Morata get Madrid out of intensive care," the newspaper added.