Brazilian forward Vinicius, Real Madrid’s match-winner in Wednesday’s 1-0 win over Real Valladolid, also gave his side the lead at Levante.

He controlled a loose ball inside the area and took his time to curl into the far corner in the 16th minute.

Real Madrid missed chances to extend their lead but in the end had to rely on another exceptional performance from Courtois to see out the victory.

Benzema later added their second goal deep in added time on the break.

The win took the champions top of the standings with 10 points after four games, in spite of starting the season later than many of their rivals.

Real Madrid should have put the game out of Levante’s reach in a blistering start to the second period in which Benzema fired against the post.

And Vinicius danced past two defenders only to miss the target from close range.

Team captain Sergio Ramos looked to have found the all-important second goal when he headed home from a free-kick, but the effort was ruled out for offside following a VAR review.

Real Madrid ended up riding their luck to cling to their advantage.

Courtois made himself big and thwarted a shot from Carlos Clerc with his legs, after making three saves to deny Enis Bardhi.

Time was almost up when Benzema skipped through on goal unchallenged and smashed high into the net to make sure of the victory.

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It was a match in which the European champions rode their luck to stay within nine points of leaders FC Barcelona.

Real came under heavy pressure early on, but Karim Benzema gave them the lead towards the end of the first half from the spot.

Thereafter, a penalty kick was awarded for handball following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review.

Levante, who pulled off a shock 2-1 win over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu earlier this season, deservedly drew level on the hour mark.

It was through a sliding finish from Roger Marti, who had struck the woodwork twice before the interval.

Real Madrid struggled to impose themselves on the game but were awarded another hotly-contested penalty kick following a VAR review.

That was when Casemiro went down in the box following light contact.

Wales forward Bale, who had only replaced Benzema minutes earlier, deceived Levante goalkeeper Aitor Fernandez with an ice-cool finish from the spot.

But he barely celebrated the goal, brushing away team mates who tried to congratulate him.

Real Madrid had defender Nacho Fernandez sent off for a second booking late in the game.

The Spaniard’s first yellow card meant he was already ruled out of next Saturday’s “Clasico’’ at home to FC Barcelona in the league.

Real Madrid are third in the standings on 48 points, two behind Atletico Madrid who beat Villarreal 2-0 earlier on Sunday and still adrift of Barca.

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However, Barca’s status in a competition they have won for the last four years is unclear.

This was after Levante said before the game that they would file a complaint to the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) on Friday about the Catalan club.

Levante claim that FC Barcelona’s teenage defender Chumi Brandariz, who played in the first leg, was ineligible to take part in the match because he was suspended.

If the RFEF ruled against the Catalan club, the 30-times Copa del Rey winners would be thrown out, with Levante given a bye and taking their place in the last eight.

With Barca trailing 2-1 from the first leg, coach Ernesto Valverde made five changes at the Nou Camp on Thursday.

He recalled the club’s all-time top scorer Messi as well as Jordi Alba and Ivan Rakitic to the team, while starting without first-choice striker Luis Suarez.

FC Barcelona made a flying start and, after numerous forays into the visitors’ area, took the lead on the half hour when Dembele latched onto a Messi through ball.

He chipped the ball into the net with the help of a deflection off a defender.

The France forward struck again less than a minute later, receiving another Messi pass and rounding goalkeeper Aitor Fernandez to double Barca’s advantage.

Philippe Coutinho looked to have struck early in the second half but his effort was ruled out for offside following a review by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).

Messi wrapped up the win in the 54th minute.

But the Catalans will not know their fate in the competition until the federation rules on Levante’s planned complaint over Chumi.

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