Football: Morata wins it late for Real Madrid

MADRID: Youngster Alvaro Morata came off the bench to head home a crucial winner as Real Madrid won 2-1 at Levante on Sunday. He had only been on the pitch for one minute when he guided a Xabi Alonso free-kick home for his first league goal for the club in challenging conditions. Angel Rodriguez had earlier struck a second-half equaliser to level Cristiano Ronaldo’s opener and it seemed Madrid would rue a missed penalty by Alonso. Morata’s 84th-minute header was vital for Madrid to stay in touch with both leaders Barcelona and city rivals Atletico Madrid who had won earlier in the day. The win means Real remain eight points behind Barca who won 4-2 at Mallorca, while Atletico remain second, three points behind the leaders, after beating Getafe 2-0 at home.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 13^th, 2012.