Levante earns a narrow victory at El Sardinero, keeping pace in the promotion race
Racing de Santander hosted Levante at El Sardinero on a Saturday that promised an afternoon of tense football and delivered a tight result, capped by a well-worked free kick from Joni Montiel. The win keeps Levante close to automatic promotion spots, while Racing stayed entrenched in a relegation-battle position with the result affecting only their immediate margins rather than the broader outlook of the season.
On a day when both teams aimed to shift momentum, Racing de Santander arrived buoyed by a recent run of form that showed four matches without a loss, including two draws and two wins. The improvement had helped the Cantabrian club secure a cushion above the relegation zone and solidified belief that a sustained push could still materialize for a climb up the table.
Levante, known as the Granota, faced different pressures. With just one win in their previous five fixtures, the visitors nonetheless stood only two points shy of direct promotion, making the trip to Santander a crucial test of nerve and execution as they sought to tighten their grip on a return to the Primera Division.
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The decisive moment came through a crafted finish from Montiel, whose left-footed direct free kick found the top right corner, giving Levante a slender advantage that the visitors would defend with discipline. Local chances came and went as Racing pushed forward, but Dani Cárdenas was alert to a key moment in the first half, denying Jorge Pombo from the penalty spot and keeping the scoreline within reach for the home side.
As the match progressed, Levante found balance in defense and broke efficiently when opportunities appeared, a combination that helped them climb back into contention for a top-two finish. By the time the whistle blew, Levante sat in second place on the table, three points behind Eibar in first place, though a substantial portion of the campaign still lay ahead and many more results could alter the dynamic of the promotion race. Racing, in contrast, remained in the 17th position, continuing to fight for survival in the division and seeking any chance to overturn the course of their season in subsequent fixtures.
The summary of Racing Santander vs. Levante of the Second Division 2022-2023: video, goals and statistics
CEDRIC! He nearly drew Racing level again after a precise pass from Iñigo Vicente opened space on the left for a dangerous cross, briefly stoking hope among Racing supporters. The build-up and execution highlighted both teams’ willingness to gamble in search of a decisive moment.
⏱️ 72′ (0-1) #RacingLevante
— Real Racing Club (@realracingclub) March 25, 2023
36′ Missed penalty! Jorge Pombo missed a golden chance for Racing de Santander as his right-footed effort skimmed wide of the far post after a setup in the box.
34′ Penalty kick in favor of Racing de Santander. Yeray Cabanzón earned a foul inside the box and Vicente Iborra was called upon to commit the foul, setting up a potential equalizer for the home side.
14′ Gooooool! Racing de Santander 0, Levante 1. Joni Montiel delivered from a direct free kick with a left-footed shot that curled into the top right corner, leaving the goalkeeper with little chance.
The opening minutes established a cautious start, with both sides probing but not forcing clear danger into the opponent’s penalty area. The scoreboard and the approach of the teams suggested a match ripe for a single moment of precision to decide the fate of the afternoon in Los Campos de Sport.
⏱️ 10′ (0-0) #RacingLevante
— Real Racing Club (@realracingclub) March 25, 2023
RACING XII
<p XI OF THE LEVANT