Madrid, Oct 17 (EFE; additional stats by The Costa Rica Star). – Though still far from the club’s highest level, Real Madrid got goals from Marcelo, Cristiano Ronaldo and Jese and outstanding goalkeeping in a 3-0 victory here Saturday over Levante.

With doubts swirling around the injury-hit Blancos after back-to-back draws against Malaga and Atletico Madrid, getting a win against a cellar-dwelling rival at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium was seen as almost a must.

The sense of urgency was heightened considering the team’s tough upcoming schedule, including a Champions League showdown Wednesday against Paris Saint-Germain in the French capital and an away match against Celta Vigo next Saturday.

Levante played even for nearly a half-hour but then let the match slip away over a two-minute span, with defender Marcelo scoring in the 28th minute after a give-and-go with Cristiano Ronaldo and then the Portuguese superstar receiving a pass from midfielder Toni Kroos and firing a blast past net minder Ruben from outside the area.

The visitors nearly got the equalizer a minute before Ronaldo’s goal, but a stunning save by Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas denied a header by Brazilian striker Deyverson.

Navas is a former Levante star who signed with Real Madrid after a brilliant performance in the 2014 World Cup with the Costa Rica Men’s National Football Team. At Real Madrid, he has set a club record of five clean sheets to start a season and has matched Iker Casillas’ record of four clean sheets during shutout victories at home. The next club record to pursue will be Paco Buyo’s eight consecutive matches without conceding in 1994.

Spanish striker Jese, who has been unable to crack the starting line-up despite the injury absences of Karim Benzema, James and Luka Modric, got a morale-boosting goal in the 82nd minute when he beat one defender on the left side and powered a left-footed strike into the roof of the goal.

With the win, Real Madrid moved into first place in La Liga, although Villarreal can reclaim the top spot with a win over Celta Vigo at El Madrigal Stadium on Sunday. EFE