Levante 1 - 1 FT Real Sociedad

Kubo's Glory Stolen by Late Drama in Valencia

Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 55/100. A draw that tastes like victory for Levante in freefall, yet leaves Real Sociedad without the stakes-defining win they desperately needed to escape mid-table mediocrity.

Kubo's Masterclass in Control

Real Sociedad arrived at Estadio Ciudad de Valencia with intent, and Takefusa Kubo orchestrated their dominance from the first whistle. The midfielder's three key passes stitched together a suffocating pattern of play that left Levante's defence in tatters. His 45th-minute goal, arriving just before the interval, felt like a sentence handed down. With 56% possession and 18 total shots, Sociedad suffocated their hosts, who managed just 13 attempts of their own. The balance of power was unmistakable.

Dela's Redemption in the Dying Seconds

Then came the plot twist. In the 93rd minute, when victory seemed assured and the travelling fans were already celebrating, Dela stepped up and converted a penalty with the composure of a man with nothing left to lose. For a team drowning in crisis—five consecutive defeats before this clash—that goal was more than a point. It was a lifeline. Levante, languishing on just 9 points from 15 matches, clawed back an equilibrium that seemed impossible, though their xG of 1.28 suggested they should have demanded more from the match.

The Statistics of Frustration

Real Sociedad's control was undeniable. An 85% pass accuracy and 10 corners underscored their tactical superiority. Yet football punishes profligacy, and Kubo couldn't replicate his first-half magic. Only 6 shots on target when they needed two goals to feel secure. Levante, by contrast, played with the desperation of a side staring into the abyss: 17 fouls and 6 yellow cards painted a portrait of a team on emotional collapse—until that late penalty gifted them salvation. This point won't save Levante's season, but it offers a final glimmer of hope in what threatens to be a catastrophic campaign.

Levante's Last Stand Against Donostia's Inconsistency

Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 47/100. A match where Levante's survival instincts collide with Real Sociedad's inability to capitalise on favourable positions—a six-pointer that feels like a five-pointer.

The Setup

The Stakes are existential for one, routine for the other. Levante occupies 19th place with nine points and a form line that reads like a horror film: LLLLD. Four consecutive defeats. Zero home wins in six matches. The defensive numbers are alarming—2.7 goals conceded per game at the Estadio de la Cerámica, a statistic that screams vulnerability against any competent attack.

Real Sociedad arrives as the favourites, tenth-placed with 16 points, but their own Form is a patchwork. They've won two of their last five, yet possess genuine attacking threat. Mikel Oyarzabal has been their salvation—three goals and two assists in four matches (7.5 average rating)—while Ander Barrenetxea provides width and intent. Mathew Ryan's 20 saves in five games suggests the defensive line is porous.

Key Battle

Real Sociedad's wide attacking corridor versus Levante's frantic full-back coverage. If Oyarzabal and Barrenetxea control the flanks, Levante's shape collapses. If Levante compresses space early, they suffocate the visitors' rhythm. This is a match decided by tempo, not talent.

Our Prediction

0-0. Levante parks everything defensively; Real Sociedad dominates possession but lacks the cutting edge to breach a desperate backline. Both teams leave disappointed, neither claiming the six-pointer.