Real Madrid lifted some of the gloom surrounding their troubled season with a hard-earned 3-1 win against rock-bottom Levante.

It was an unimpressive performance from Zinedine Zidane’s men, who played with little fluency, but at least the three points should ease their latest crisis.

Madrid gradually exerted their authority and Cristiano Ronaldo went close on three occasions, seeing two shots saved by home keeper Diego Marino and uncharacteristically sending a free header well wide.

But the Portuguese star would not be denied for long, firing home from the penalty spot after the lively Lucas Vazquez – one of the players derided by Ronaldo after Saturday’s defeat against Atletico Madrid – winning a penalty after being tripped by Lucas Orban.

Very soon it was two-nil, with full debutant Borja Mayoral shooting on the turn from 20 yards, and although his shot hit the post it rebounded off the legs of Marino and bounced apologetically over the line.

It seemed Madrid had the points in the bag, but Levante pulled one back immediately as Rossi barged Casemiro off the ball and slid a nice pass to Deyverson, whose well-placed low finish gave Navas no chance.

Madrid started the second half with purpose but gradually their pressure waned and Levante, very much still in the game, came within inches of a leveller when Deyverson slid onto a right-wing cross.

Ronaldo was twice agonisingly close to adding his second, sending a cushioned volley against the post and flashing a curling strike just wide, but the points did not look secure and Navas was forced into a fine flying stop from Ruben Garcia.

Isco finally made the victory certain by rifling home Ronaldo’s cross in stoppage time.