Super Eagles winger Moses Simon was a beauty to behold as his scintillating performance against Real Madrid in the La Liga Santander kept tongues wagging on Sunday, reports Footballlive.ng.
The skillful lad was utilised as a wing-back and he excelled in Levante’s underserved 2-1 loss to the UEFA Champions League holders.
Simon, 22, excelled at the right flank and made defender Sergio Reguilon uncomfortable with his mobility and skills.
His crosses made Real Madrid faithfuls be at the edge of their seats in the electrifying game at the Estadio Ciudad de Valencia.
The dashing winger who missed the 2018 FIFA World Cup as a result of injury will be hoping his form earns him a place in the Super Eagles squad to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
No team in Spain’s top flight has conceded more goals than Levante this season. Indeed, a total of 45 conceded represents the worst record in the division and after a slow start, Madrid just started to force the issue in the 10th minute.
A wonderful low cross from Dani Carvajal caused all sorts of problems inside the Levante box, but Simon – operating as a wing-back – did well to flick clear under pressure from Vinicius Junior.
Madrid were finding it difficult to deal with Simon’s pace and movement as the 30-minute mark came and went.
Los Blancos did score in the 43rd minute, however, with Karim Benzema converting from the penalty spot.
Initially the handball from Enis Bardhi had been missed, but VAR intervened before the referee ultimately awarded the spot kick, which saw Madrid take a one-goal lead into the half-time break.
Levante were finally level on the hour, though, with Marti turning a low Morales cross into the far corner of the net. It was no more than the home side deserved for their application in the first 60 minutes.
Gareth Bale was introduced for the final 15 minutes of action and sent Madrid ahead just moments after entering the field.
Indeed, the visitors were awarded a penalty when Cheick Doukoure kicked Casemiro inside the box, which led to Bale rolling his spot kick into the back of the net before shrugging off the congratulations of his teammates.
Madrid finished the game with 10 men as Nacho picked up his second yellow card in the 86th minute for a foul on Raphael Dwamena, but the visitors held on to collect all three points against a Levante team who ended with 11 men but saw Rochina, who was sitting on the bench, sent off late on following a discussion with the referee.
Levante will attempt to return to winning ways in the league when they travel to Leganes on March 4.
