Levante Advances to Final After Rout of Albacete

After Carlos Belmonte’s 1-3 draw, Levante earned a victory that kept them alive in the competition, awaiting either Alavés or Eibar in the final.

Levante and Albacete faced off this Wednesday in pursuit of the top spot in the promotion playoff to the First Division. The Valencian side carried a two-goal advantage into the second leg secured last Saturday at the Carlos Belmonte stadium.

All details of Levante vs. Albacete from the promotion playoffs to the First Division can be found here.

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Albacete entered the match knowing the task would be difficult, as the tie had already turned steep. Still, Ruben Albes’s side refused to give up and trusted their capabilities. The Mancha region squad pressed forward in search of a goal that could ignite the comeback, but they met a well-organized opponent from the start.

Levante’s squad ultimately prevailed 3-0, with goals from Roger Brugue (20 and 40 minutes) and Roberto Soldado (83 minutes).

The summary of Levante vs. Albacete from the Playoff for promotion to the 2023 First Division and 2023-2024 La Liga: video, goals and statistics

90′ Full-time whistle.

87′ Levante allows possession as the clock winds down. The Valencian side displays strong collective play and control.

83′ GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL! Roberto Soldado increases the lead to 3-0 for Levante. The forward finishes after a defensive lapse by Albacete, sealing progression to the final with precision before Bernabé Barragán leaves his goal.

82′ Bolívar shoots from distance, testing Joan Femenías at the near post as Albacete continues to push—with nearly 20 attempts across the match.

78′ A superb save from Femenías, who tips Maikel Mesa’s free kick to a corner and keeps Levante ahead in the closing stages.

73′ Dani Escriche forces a corner for Albacete after a drive that slightly deflects off a Levante defender.

71′ Joni Montiel attempts a strike from the edge; the ball rises high and sails over the bar.

67′ The Mancha team presses higher through intricate interior play, but the final pass remains elusive.

62′ Roger Brugue is warned as Levante remains dangerous on the counter and in transition.

57′ Wesley De Moraes receives tactical instructions from Javi Calleja in the technical zone. The Brazilian forward, who was left out in the first leg, is prepared to come on as a substitute for the granotas.

54′ Riki Rodríguez is booked for halting Jorge de Frutos’s surge. The Asturian player had little choice but to foul in mid-race.

46′ Albacete makes three changes at the break, with Ros, García, and Alonso entering to reinforce the attack and balance the defense.

The opening Levante goal stemmed from a swift counter-attack led by Jorge de Frutos, who found Roger Brugue with calm assurance. Brugue finished decisively past Bernabé Barragán, and Albacete sought to respond, only to be undone by another defensive error that exposed the guests. Five minutes from time, Levante capitalized on a poor clearance by the opposing goalkeeper, and Brugue again found the net to seal the result and dampen Albacete’s hopes of forcing extra time.

Rest in the Ciutat de València! Levante headed to the locker room with a 2-0 lead on aggregate, positioning themselves firmly for a place in the final. Albacete started with intent, pressing high and probing with long-range efforts, but Levante’s efficiency in transition and counterattack widened the gap. Brugue’s two goals underscored his hunger to compete in the First Division.

45′ + 1′ Joan Femenía makes a decisive fist to clear Manu Fuster’s free kick.

41′ Roger Brugue stands out in the second half, reaching his fifth goal of the season with a clinical finish.

40′ GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL! Roger Brugué doubles the advantage for Levante. A mistake in the Albacete defense allows Brugué to exploit space, slotting past Barragán from the edge of the area.

39′ Róber Pier makes a crucial intervention to stop a cross from Higinio Marín.

38′ The Levante fans celebrate a victory; the Ciutat de València crowd fills the stands with energy and excitement.

37′ Mohamed Bouldini’s influence grows as he controls a ball near the box.

36′ Vicente Iborra’s cross is deflected to a corner by Albacete’s defense.

31′ More than half an hour played at the Ciutat de València; Brugue’s productive performance moves Levante closer to the final.

29′ Albacete’s attempts to construct plays from the middle are stifled, with Dani Escriche picking up a yellow card for a reckless challenge on Sergio Postigo.

28′ Dani Escriche receives a yellow card for a dangerous tackle on Sergio Postigo.

27′ Brugue’s goal makes it 4-1 on aggregate for Levante, leaving Albacete needing three goals to push the tie into extra time.

26′ Albacete struggles to assert themselves in the final meters, as Levante tightens its defensive lines.

24′ Jorge de Frutos delivers another key contribution, adding to his assist from the first leg and continuing to shape the Granotas’ attacking approach.

23′ Levante capitalizes on a sharp chance, with Brugue scoring his fourth of the season and widening the lead in their favor.

21′ Albacete faces a heavy uphill battle as they chase a comeback, pressing forward with necessary risk.

20′ GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL! Brugue delivers a counterattack finish that puts Levante ahead, leaving Albacete facing a daunting deficit.

19′ Riki Rodríguez’s attempting shot is blocked as Sergio Postigo clears the danger.

18′ Higinio Marín’s early attempt goes wide as Albacete seeks a spark on the road.

17′ The tempo steadies as both sides search for openings to the goal.

16′ The opening stages of the match see Levante controlling possession while Albacete presses for a breakthrough.

14′ Albacete compresses the interior with Dani Escriche and Manu Fuster, with Cristian Glauder contributing in the late exchanges to apply pressure.

13′ Sergio Postigo receives medical attention but remains on the field; Rubén Vezo warms up in case of any further issue.

12′ Postigo needs attention as he retreats to the touchline with a knee issue.

11′ Postigo’s presence continues to test the goalkeeper as Levante stabilizes its defense.

10′ Jorge de Frutos shows signs of fatigue after a strong tussle with Álvaro Rodríguez.

9′ Albacete presses from the flanks, but their forays into the box are tightly watched by Levante’s defense.

8′ A clear chance for Albacete escapes as a move from the corner ends with a blocked shot by Álvaro Rodríguez.

7′ Albacete earns the first corner as the visitors push higher up the pitch.

6′ Javi Calleja remains composed in the technical area as Levante applies steady pressure.

5′ Albacete respond with a bright sequence but Levante’s goalkeeper Femenías ensures the danger is cleared.

4′ Levante’s first serious attack nearly breaks through as Mohammed Bouldini latches onto a ball behind Jorge de Frutos, but Cristian Glauder acts quickly to disrupt the play.

2′ Mohamed Bouldini heads the ball away from danger after a corner kick.

1′ The match kicks off; Levante and Albacete take the field at the Ciutat de València.

The 22 players are on the pitch as the whistle signals the start of a decisive encounter in the Ciutat del València. The referee is Jon Ander González Esteban, a Basque official with extensive experience in Spain’s second tier, assisted by Gorka Sagués Oscoz in VAR.

Confirmed XI of Albacete

Confirmed XI of Levante

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— Albacete Football (@AlbaceteBPSAD) June 7, 2023

Source: Goal