La Liga
Levante Edge Real Betis in Seven-Goal Thriller in Valencia
A 5-2 home victory for Levante over Real Betis delivered goals, drama, and a late winner in stoppage time.
Levante hosted Real Betis in Valencia in a La Liga clash that lived up to expectations as a high-scoring affair, with the home side ultimately running out 5-2 winners.
The match burst into life early when Adrián de la Fuente Barquilla opened the scoring for Levante in the 24th minute, capitalizing on an assist from Jon Ander Olasagasti. The visitors responded before halftime as Marc Bartra pulled one back for Real Betis in the 34th minute, setting up a tense finish to the opening period.
Just before the break, Levante restored their lead through Enzo Bardeli in the 45th minute plus one, only for Real Betis to equalize almost immediately through Rodrigo Riquelme in the 45th minute plus four. The first half ended 2-2, and the game remained open and entertaining after the break.
The decisive moment came in the 56th minute when Roger Brugué scored for Levante, this time assisted by Enzo Bardeli. Brugué then added his second of the evening in the 70th minute to extend the hosts' advantage and give them breathing room heading into the final stages.
With the scoreline at 4-2, Levante continued to press for more, and their persistence paid off in the 90th minute plus five when Jon Ander Olasagasti, assisted by Karl Etta Eyong, sealed the victory with a dramatic late goal.
Both sides were shown a single yellow card during the match. Pablo García of Real Betis picked up a booking in the 69th minute, while Levante's Jeremy Toljan was cautioned in the 86th minute.
Levante's win sees them climb slightly in the table, sitting in 17th place with one point from two matches. Real Betis, meanwhile, remain in fifth position with six points from their opening two games.
The result adds further weight to the idea that Levante's home form could be key to their survival hopes this season, while Real Betis will need to tighten up defensively if they want to challenge near the top of the table.
Referee R. De Burgos had a relatively quiet afternoon in terms of major incidents, though the late goal will have added some excitement to the closing moments.