Morales nets as Levante stuns Real

Real’s problems deepened with an ankle injury to Eden Hazard, who will miss the Champions League showdown with Manchester City and ‘El Clasico’ against Barcelona this week. Morales won the game with an unstoppable strike in the 79th minute, flummoxing Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois by blasting a first-time shot from a tight angle.

Real’s first defeat in the league since October saw it fall to second place on 53 points after 25 games, while Levante now has 32 points.

Holder Barcelona replaced Zinedine Zidane’s side at the top of the table on 55 points after hammering Eibar 5-0 earlier in the day, gaining five points on its arch rival in a space of seven days.

Zidane did not hide his frustration at losing the game but said he is not worried about the ramifications of the last two results.

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrated his 1,000th professional match by scoring for a record-equalling 11th consecutive Serie A appearance. His goal helped leader Juventus beat SPAL 2-1 in a top-versus-bottom match last Saturday.

After being rested against Brescia, the 35-year-old celebrated his return by scoring from Juan Cuadrado’s cross in the 39th minute. Aaron Ramsey added a second on the hour.