Levante surge in playoff duel with 3-1 win over Albacete

Clear triumph for the Valencian side as they collect two goals against Albacete in a decisive victory.

Levante defeated Albacete 1-3 and has taken a giant step toward reaching the grand final of the promotion playoff to the First Division.

All the details of Albacete vs. Levante in Segunda can be found here.

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Albacete started with pace, already signalling danger in the second minute. Álvaro Rodríguez burst forward and fired a powerful shot that forced a sharp save from the Levante keeper. Albacete brought rhythm to the game and the Valencians struggled to settle into possession.

After ten frantic minutes, the game seemed to settle. A corner kick was whipped in, and Fuster delivered a reply that was cleared but fell to Djetei, who converted from close range as the ball bounced behind the line. The goal, initially not awarded, was eventually counted after a VAR review. Albacete tried to rally, but Bouldini and Djetei combined to press again, and Levante surged ahead in a flash. The scoreboard reflected a shift in momentum as Levante moved to 1-2.

After the break, Albacete came out with renewed energy, threatening the opposite box early on. However, their finishing let them down. The home side looked rushed as the minutes ticked by, and around the 55th minute De Frutos struck a powerful volley that Altube could not stop, extending Levante’s lead to 1-3. The match aligned with the expectations of a dominant performance by the visitors.

With two away goals in hand, Levante controlled the tempo, dictating the pace as Albacete grew frustrated. The Catalans appeared comfortable, almost sealing a fourth with another lapse from Altube, who did not have his best day. Albacete, playing on an away field, pushed forward in an attempt to close the gap, but the visiting defense held firm. Olaetxea threatened from set pieces, while Bouldini nearly extended the lead with a shot that struck the post in the final stages. The scoreline remained 3-1, keeping Levante on track for a playoff final appearance.

With the aggregate unfolding, Albacete took risks but found no answer for the Granotas. The late stages saw chances from both sides, yet Albacete could not convert. The match ended with Levante securing a clear three points and two away goals that moved them closer to sealing their place in the final round of the promotion play-off.

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

The Carlos Belmonte hosted the clash, and Levante emerged with a 1-3 victory that keeps them on course for the final. Added time stretched to five minutes as both sides pressed for a late breakthrough, but the final whistle arrived with Levante holding the advantage.

The ball found the net in minute 55 with a great volley from De Frutos. In minute 33 Brughi finished from close range after a build from Bouldini, moving Levante to 1-2. Earlier, De Frutos had equalised in minute 29 after a controversial VAR review confirmed the goal, tying the match at 1-1. Levante had opened the scoring in minute 21 as Montiel delivered from the penalty spot. Albacete had taken the lead in minute 16 through a header from Djetei after a corner, putting the hosts ahead early.

The first half had seen Albacete dominate in the early exchanges, but Levante responded with urgency and eventually turned the tie around before halftime. An additional challenge by the Levante defense kept the scoreline in check, while the Albacete goalkeeper Altube faced repeated pressure across the minutes. A notable moment came in minute 8 with a yellow card for Pepelu, and minutes earlier Albacete had created danger in the box that required attention from Femenías in the Levante goal.

The match took place in a charged atmosphere at Carlos Belmonte, with Levante stepping onto the field composed and ready to press. While Albacete showed moments of quality, their final touch and decision-making in critical moments let them down. The Levante side, disciplined and efficient, leveraged their two away goals to control the game and ensure a strong position heading into the next stage of the promotion battle.

The opening sequence of the night built anticipation as Albacete put pressure early, testing Femenías. Levante grew into the game, balancing defense with purposeful counterattacks. The goals came in a pattern that reflected the visitors’ ability to respond quickly after conceding, a hallmark of their playoff campaign. The crowd witnessed a contest that swung back and forth before Levante settled into a dominant rhythm and saw the match through to the end with a convincing result.

The result leaves both teams to reflect on the moments that decided the tie, while Levante remains well positioned to pursue a place in the First Division through the playoff route. The match offered a compelling mix of grit, finishing, and strategic pressure, underscoring the drama of promotion battles in Spanish football.