Kylian Mbappe delivers once again as Alvaro Arbeloa claims first Real Madrid win at hostile Bernabeu with Jude Bellingham among those booed by fans

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Real Madrid closed the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona to just one point with a 2-0 victory over Levante at the Bernabeu on Saturday. However, it was a hostile atmosphere in the Spanish capital, with fans booing the club's hierarchy, new head coach Alvaro Arbeloa and several of their players throughout. It comes following defeats in both domestic cup competitions and the sacking of Xabi Alonso.

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Kylian Mbappe scored his 50th La Liga goal as Real Madrid claimed a vital 2-0 victory over Levante in their first match at a hostile Bernabeu since the dismissal of head coach Xabi Alonso.

The Spaniard left his position on Monday following defeat against Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final and he was replaced by Alvaro Arbeloa, whose first match in charge saw Real crash out of the Copa del Rey against second division side Albacete.

Following the successive defeats and Alonso’s departure, Madrid fans voiced their anger on Saturday, protesting against club president Florentino Perez and whistling their players and new manager throughout the contest, even at full-time of the win.

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Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde appeared to be given the most hostile reception, with the trio named in reports this week as players who were unhappy with Alonso.

Real failed to improve the atmosphere in a first half devoid of quality but the deadlock was broken by Mbappe 13 minutes into the second period as he stroked home from the penalty spot having being tripped by Adrian de la Fuente.

The Frenchman has now scored 50 goals in 53 La Liga games, including 19 this season, making him the second-fastest player to reach the milestone this century after Cristiano Ronaldo.

The forward was one of the players not to be booed on Saturday, along with 21-year-old forward Gonzalo Garcia.

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Academy graduate Raul Asencio doubled the hosts’ lead shortly after with a powerful header from Arda Guler’s corner.

Franco Mastantuono nearly made it three when his curling effort from range crashed against the crossbar, while Bellingham was denied a number of times by Mathew Ryan in goal for the visitors.

The victory, coming on Arbeloa’s 43rd birthday, takes Real within one point of leaders Barcelona ahead of their visit to Real Sociedad on Sunday.

Alonso left his position on Monday after less than eight months in charge with his former Liverpool team-mate Arbeloa announced as his interim replacement soon after, promoted from coaching Real's B team.

Alonso’s tenure came to an end after Real’s 3-2 defeat against Barcelona on Sunday in Saudi Arabia.

Real return to action on Tuesday night as they host Monaco in the UEFA Champions League in their penultimate match of the league phase.

Their next La Liga game comes in the form of a visit to Villarreal, who are just seven points behind Real, with two games in hand on Arbeloa's men.

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