Levante Snatch Dramatic Draw in Stoppage Time
Key Takeaways
- Adrián de la Fuente's 94th-minute penalty rescued a 1-1 draw for Levante
- Takefusa Kubo's first-half header had given Real Sociedad the lead
- Mathew Ryan's heroic five saves kept bottom-placed Levante in the contest
- Eight yellow cards highlighted a fiery encounter at Estadi Ciutat de València
MANISES, SPAIN — Adrián de la Fuente drilled a penalty into the bottom left corner in the 94th minute, snatching a dramatic 1-1 draw for bottom-placed Levante against 15th-placed Real Sociedad at the Estadi Ciutat de València. The late spot-kick, awarded after Arkaitz Mariezkurrena fouled Carlos Álvarez in the box, denied the visitors all three points in a fiery encounter that saw the referee brandish eight yellow cards.
The decisive moments arrived at opposite ends of the match. Takefusa Kubo broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time, powering a header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner to give Real Sociedad a deserved advantage. The Japanese international's clinical finish capped a period of sustained pressure from the visitors, who enjoyed the majority of possession at 56%. Levante looked destined for defeat until the dying moments, when substitute Carlos Álvarez drew the crucial penalty. De la Fuente stepped up with ice in his veins, sending Álex Remiro the wrong way to spark wild celebrations among the home faithful.
The tactical battle showcased Real Sociedad's technical superiority against Levante's desperate resilience. Mikel Oyarzabal and Kubo tormented the home defence throughout, with Oyarzabal particularly dangerous down the left flank. But Mathew Ryan stood tall between the posts for Levante, producing a heroic performance with five crucial saves. The Australian goalkeeper denied Oyarzabal twice in quick succession during the 75th minute, first from a difficult angle and then from close range after Arsen Zakharyan's clever assist. Jon Martín and Igor Zubeldia marshalled Real Sociedad's backline effectively, though they couldn't prevent the late drama.
Real Sociedad created more chances throughout, registering 18 shots to Levante's 13, with six on target compared to just three from the hosts. Despite 13 attempts, Levante managed only three efforts that troubled Remiro, highlighting their struggles in the final third. The visitors also dominated the set-piece battle, winning 10 corners to Levante's seven. Yet for all their statistical superiority, Real Sociedad couldn't find the killer second goal.
The turning point arrived in the 90th minute when Manu Sánchez's blocked shot from the left sparked a frantic sequence. Levante won consecutive corners, and as bodies piled into the box, Mariezkurrena's mistimed challenge on Álvarez gave referee the easiest decision of a contentious afternoon. The penalty award sparked furious protests from Real Sociedad, with Manu Sánchez and Adrián de la Fuente both shown yellow cards amid the chaos. Kervin Arriaga and Iván Romero had already been booked earlier as tensions boiled over in this fiery affair.
Looking ahead, Real Sociedad will host Ceuta on December 21, seeking to bounce back from this late heartbreak.