Vinicius Junior says former Real Madrid playmaker Luka Modric inspired his superb strike against Levante as Los Blancos increased their lead at the top of LaLiga to five points and extended their perfect start to the season to seven matches in all competitions with a 4-1 win at fifth-bottom Levante on Tuesday.

Brazil winger Vinicius Junior used the outside of his right foot to find the far corner of the net from inside the box on the right as Madrid took a 28th-minute lead at the Estadio Ciudad de Valencia, where Franco Mastantuono struck after a surging run to double their advantage seven minutes before the break.

A little bit of genius from Vini Jr! 🤯

That is a simply stunning finish right into the corner of the net 👏

𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 @sbk | 18+ | 𝑃𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝐺𝑎𝑚𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑦 pic.twitter.com/UrK6hE7cl4

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) September 23, 2025

Etta Eyong headed a 54th-minute reply but Kylian Mbappe converted a Panenka penalty in the 64th minute and charged through to slot in and complete the scoring two minutes later.

“Luka Modric taught me,” Vinicius Junior told RMTV of his goal (via AS), namechecking the Croatia legend who won LaLiga four times and the Champions League on six occasions before leaving Madrid after 13 years to join Milan in July.

“I’m very good at it. I hope to continue scoring like this. It’s one of the most beautiful shots I’ve ever made.”

Franco Mastantuono has definitely arrived as a Real Madrid player now! 🔥

A brilliant finish from the Argentinian youngster to open his account with Los Blancos ⚪🇦🇷

𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 @sbk | 18+ | 𝑃𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝐺𝑎𝑚𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑦 pic.twitter.com/bEqkSQdANg

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) September 23, 2025

Levante vs Real Madrid: Alonso wins again

Los Blancos are the only team to have won all six of their matches in the Spanish top flight in 2025/26, with second-placed Barcelona playing their game in hand at fourth-bottom Ovideo on Thursday.

Xabi Alonso’s side visit 12th-placed Atletico Madrid on Saturday (15:15 BST / 12:15 ET / 09:15 PT). “We need to rest a little and enjoy this victory,” said Vinicius Junior, praising Madrid’s “defence, unity and teamwork”.

“We want to continue like this and win titles, which is the most important thing. If we continue like this, we can achieve very important things.”

That’s a trademark Kylian Mbappé goal 🙌

The Frenchman bags a second shortly after converting from the spot and Real Madrid are well on their way to a win ⚪

𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 @sbk | 18+ | 𝑃𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝐺𝑎𝑚𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑦 pic.twitter.com/lGa3RhUP68

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) September 23, 2025

Real Madrid team vs Levante

Real Madrid starting XI: Thibaut Courtois, Fran Garcia, Raul Asencio, Dani Ceballos, Dean Huijsen, Franco Mastantuono, Arda Guler, Alvaro Carreras, Federico Valverde, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr

Madrid substitutes: Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, David Alaba, Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Endrick, Rodrygo, Andrii Lunin, Aurelien Tchouameni, Gonzalo Garcia, Brahim Díaz, David Jimenez

Levante team vs Madrid

Levante starting XI: Mathew Ryan, Jeremy Toljan, Unai Elgezabal, Adrian de la Fuente, Diego Pampin, Carlos Alvarez, Unai Vencedor, Oriol Rey, Jon Olasagasti, Etta Eyong, Ivan Romero

Levante substitutes: Pablo Campos, Matías Moreno, Alan Matturro, Roger Brugue, Pablo Martinez, Jose Luis Morales, Goduine Koyalipou, Kervin Arriaga, Víctor García, Iker Losada, Carlos Espi, Manu Sanchez