Levante secured a dramatic 2-3 comeback win at Balaídos, temporarily lifting themselves out of the relegation zone after a gripping LaLiga clash. The visitors overturned two deficits against a Celta side that squandered their lead in front of their home fans.
From Champions League dreams to survival struggles—Celta’s season has taken a downturn since April, with five consecutive defeats dampening their hopes of European qualification. In contrast, Levante arrived in Galicia with renewed belief after their previous comeback victory over Osasuna.
A flowing move from Claudio Giráldez’s side nearly broke the deadlock early on, but Mathew Ryan closed down Fer López to snuff out the chance. However, the goalkeeper could not prevent Ferran Jutglà from finishing a slick one-two with Hugo Álvarez just three minutes in, putting the hosts ahead.
Undaunted, Levante grew into the match through patient possession and enterprising play. Victor García, hero of their last win, set up Kareem Tunde for a header that went wide. Andrei Radu was called into action to deny a promising header, while Adrian de la Fuente tested him with a long-range effort that missed the target. Celta only created sporadic danger.
Just before halftime, with Celta seemingly heading into the break ahead, Kervin Arriaga leveled the score with a powerful strike that slipped through Radu’s grasp—the Romanian keeper’s failed attempt to parry the ball gave the Honduran midfielder his second goal of the season. Levante, always combative, took a step forward in search of another consecutive comeback.
The horror show repeated for Levante after the restart: Jutglá struck again early in the second half, scoring his eighth goal of the 2026 campaign after a superb run and cross from Rueda down the right flank. But Valencia’s side refused to fold, equalizing through a thunderous strike from Dela that curled into the top corner just before the hour mark. Moments later, Pampín received the first yellow card, and Castro made a double substitution, bringing on Raghouber and Brugué. Brugué made an instant impact, heading home from close range in the 63rd minute to complete the turnaround at 2-3.
Celta manager Giráldez turned to substitutes Durán, Swedberg, and Borja to spark a reaction, later adding Mingueza and El-Abdellaoui when the changes failed to yield results. Pablo Durán saw his shot cannon into the side netting, and Brugué came agonizingly close to a second goal when his effort struck the woodwork. The final whistle brought relief for the visitors and despair for the home side.
Flashscore Player of the Match: Dela.