Levante UD pulled off a stunning comeback against CD Eldense, securing a 2-1 victory at the Estadio Nuevo Pepico Amat on March 2, 2025. Facing pressure to avoid relegation, Eldense took control early, but the story of the match was turned on its head during the dying minutes.
Eldense, under the guidance of coach José Luis Oltra, set out to end their dry spell after not winning their last several matches. The hosts took the lead just before halftime thanks to Diego Collado, who netted his first goal for the club since transferring during the winter transfer window. After receiving a precise ball just inside the area, Collado wasted no time, shooting low past Levante's goalkeeper, Andrés Fernández. His strike silenced the crowd and seemed to signal hope for Eldense as they led 1-0 going at halftime. The atmosphere was electric, as the locals were optimistic about hanging onto this precarious advantage.
Levante's coach Julián Calero had to regroup his players during the break, knowing full well they needed to step up to achieve any points from the match. The visitors began the second half with renewed energy, applying pressure from the outset. Their attempts to get back on level terms were persistent, and the tension mounted as they wasted several opportunities to score. Players like Iván Romero and José Luis Morales were frequently thwarted by Eldense's defense and goalkeeper Dani Martín, who had put forth strong performances to deny the Levante attackers.
Despite these efforts, the game was starting to slip away from Levante. Just when it seemed like Eldense would maintain their lead—holding firm defensively and crafting their counter-attack opportunities—things dramatically changed during the final moments of the match.
With just minutes remaining on the clock, Levante earned a free kick outside of the penalty area. Roger Brugué took the set-piece and connected perfectly, leveling the game at 1-1 as he placed the shot right past the wall and past Martín, igniting celebrations among the Levante players as they sensed blood.
But the drama didn't end there. Just two minutes later, during the intense stoppage time, Levante found themselves with another corner kick. Carlos Espí, who had just come on as a substitute, capitalized on the chaos inside the box. Following the corner, the ball found its way to him, and without hesitation, he struck it powerfully to secure the winning goal for Levante at 2-1.
With this dramatic second goal, hope turned to despair for Eldense. The home crowd was left reeling, having witnessed their team slip from victory to defeat within mere minutes. Eldense had fought valiantly but fell short when it mattered most and now remains firmly entrenched just above the relegation zone.
The victory was pivotal for Levante, who are now breathing slightly easier as they look forward to upcoming matches. With this result, they continue to challenge for promotion, leaning on momentum built from this thrilling encounter.
Reflecting on the match, Oltra lamented his team's inability to close out the game after such strong play throughout. "We should have secured at least a point today after playing so well for 90 minutes, but we let it slip," he stated, visibly frustrated.
On the wiser side, Calero highlighted the resilience of his squad. "We showed tremendous character to come back at the very end. Games rarely finish until the final whistle, and today we proved just how important it is to keep fighting until the last moment. This win could be the turning point for us, and we need to carry this spirit forward."
With Levante's comeback win, both teams will look to regroup quickly for their next fixtures, as the season continues to intensify. Eldense will need to reassess and strengthen their resolve if they hope to avoid relegation, as they head to Zaragoza for their next match. For Levante, the momentum and confidence gained from this win will be pivotal as they march forward, hoping to solidify their position for contention within LaLiga Hypermotion.