Levante 3 - 2 FT Elche

Injury Time Madness Decides Thriller in Valencia

Must-Watch Futmetrix Score: 94/100. A sensational 96th-minute winner secured three vital points for Levante in a match that defied logic during a frantic final sequence.

Elche Strike Early on the Break

The encounter at the Estadio Ciudad de Valencia began with a tactical surprise. Despite their lower league position, the hosts came out swinging, but it was the Elche efficiency that drew first blood. In the 11th minute, A. Rodriguez silenced the home crowd, finishing a clinical move to give the visitors the lead. The Stakes were high for Levante, and they responded by turning the pitch into a shooting gallery. Throughout the half, the granotas unleashed a barrage of attempts, finishing the match with an astonishing 26 shots. However, Elche controlled possession (58%), utilizing their technical Balance to frustrate the home side and maintain their advantage going into the interval.

The Martinez Inspired Comeback

The second half saw the Intensity reach fever pitch as Levante refused to be denied. P. Martinez took the game by the scruff of the neck, orchestrating every attack with eight key passes. His persistence paid off in the 50th minute when he latched onto a J. Toljan delivery to level the scores. The momentum had shifted entirely. Levante’s relentless pressure forced Elche deep into their own territory. The turnaround was completed in the 68th minute as Dela found the net, assisted by the ever-present Martinez. At 2-1, it looked as though the relegation battle narrative would favor the hosts, but the drama was only just beginning in this rollercoaster of a match.

A Final Act of Pure Desperation

As the clock ticked into stoppage time, the game exploded. Elche’s super-sub A. Boayar looked to have broken Levante hearts in the 92nd minute, stabbing home an equalizer that stunned the stadium. With the Upset Factor looming, many teams would have folded, but Levante went for broke. In the 96th minute, a desperate final surge saw J. A. Olasagasti provide the spark for A. Matturro to fire home the winner. This 3-2 victory was a testament to Levante's attacking persistence, overcoming a late scare to secure a result that could define their season. It was a crunch match that delivered every bit of the chaos expected from two sides fighting for every inch.

Levante’s Survival Instinct Faces Stability Test

Skip It Futmetrix Score: 41/100. For Levante, this isn't just a fixture; it's a frantic search for the oxygen required to avoid being smothered by the relegation zone.

The Setup

On January 23, the Estadio Ciudad de Valencia hosts a clash where the Stakes couldn't be more polarized. Levante enter Round 21 languishing in 19th place, burdened by a staggering statistic: zero home wins in eight attempts this season. Their recent Form (DWDLL) highlights a side struggling to convert draws into safety, largely due to a defense conceding 2.2 goals per match.

In contrast, Elche sit comfortably in 9th. While they boast a better Balance across the pitch, they are far from impenetrable. With a combined conceded rate of 4.0 goals per game between these two sides, the narrative points toward a defensive struggle rather than a tactical masterclass. The visiting side’s Stars will look to exploit a backline that has failed to keep clean sheets consistently.

Key Battle

The match will be won or lost in the transition. Levante’s desperate offensive unit, featuring Etta Eyong and Iván Romero, must find a way past an Elche defensive block marshalled by the in-form Héctor Fort. If Levante's midfield cannot track back to cover the space behind them, Elche's efficiency on the break will likely silence the home crowd once again.

Our Prediction

Expect a chaotic game script. Levante will pour forward early, driven by the desperation of their league position, but their leaky defense remains their Achilles' heel. Elche have the quality to respond, leading to a high-tension encounter that ends in a 1-1 draw—a result that does little to ease the hosts' relegation fears.