LaLiga: Roger Martí’s goal helps Levante overcome the challenge of Real Madrid; Sevilla beat Eibar

Roger Martí from Levante is congratulated by his teammates after scoring his team’s second goal against Real Madrid. AP

Madrid: Real Madrid had Eder Militao sent off in a 2-1 loss to Levante on Saturday, giving Atlético de Madrid a chance to move a 10-point lead to the top of LaLiga.

Reigning champions Zinedine Zidane are second in the standings, seven points behind Atlético, which has two games in hand and will face Cádiz on Sunday.

Militao saw the red card in the ninth minute at the Alfredo di Stefano stadium, with his team already without its injured captain Sergio Ramos and coach Zidane, affected by COVID.

Marco Asensio gave Madrid the lead four minutes later, but José Luis Morales leveled near the break before Roger Martí made up for the mistake of a penalty by scoring the winning goal.

Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman had admitted on Saturday that his team “has to be realistic” about their chances of nullifying Atlético’s considerable advantage on the table.

And with Real Madrid failing again, a seismic collapse may now be necessary for Atlético to miss out on a chance to repeat their incredible LaLiga triumph in 2014.

“The team was sad in the locker room,” said Zidane’s assistant David Bettoni, who took over the full-back. “But they still have the will to fight to the end.”

“You always have to fight, the season ends in May,” added goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

“It is true that Atlético continues to win and is up there. We have to win and hope that the others lose.”

It also leaves the Champions League as the only obvious shot at a Real Madrid trophy this season after losing in the semifinals of the Spanish Super Cup and coming out against Alcoyano in the Copa del Rey.

Madrid will face Atalanta next month in the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Militao was sent off for knocking down Sergio León del Levante, who was launching himself towards the goal when Militao crossed him on the edge of the penalty area.

But Madrid gave themselves an advantage to hold on to soon after, when Asensio continued his recent resurgence by running to Toni Kroos’s brilliant pass and finishing in the corner.

However, Levante were dangerous and tied before the break when a Jorge Miramón cross to the back post was expertly caught on Morales’ half volley.

Vinicius Junior entered for Madrid in the second half but made the worst possible start by kicking the leg of Carlos Clerc, who the VAR showed that he had the right foot inside the area.

Courtois rejected Roger’s penalty and with 11 men, Madrid could have seized the momentum.

Instead, his tired legs gave way and a well-worked short corner by Levante gave Roger a clear view of goal, who managed to shoot into the corner.

Sevilla climbed to third place in the standings, one point behind Real Madrid, by winning 2-0 away from home in Eibar.

Lucas Ocampos put Sevilla ahead with a penalty after fit Youssef En-Nesyri fell into the box, before Jordan Moreno slid down the front post in the second half to seal the victory.

Villarreal and Real Sociedad had to settle for one point each in their bidding for the top four after drawing 1-1, but Valencia moved five points away from the relegation zone with a 1-0 win over Elche.