Roger Brugué’s two goals set Levante on course for a 3-1 La Liga win

Brugué strikes twice before half-time

Levante defeated Athletic Club 3-1 in La Liga at Estadio Ciudad de Valencia. Roger Brugué scored the opener in the 20th minute, finishing with Daniel Requena Sánchez providing the assist, to make it 1-0. Brugué struck again in the 22nd minute for a 2-0 scoreline, giving Levante control before the interval.

Athletic Club improved after the break and reduced the deficit in the 67th minute. Álex Berenguer converted a penalty to make it 2-1, but Athletic’s response was damaged when Aymeric Laporte received a red card in the 73rd minute. Levante then restored its two-goal advantage in the 90th minute, when Karl Etta Eyong scored for the 3-1 final score.

Athletic had more of the ball, but Levante were sharper

Athletic Club held 62% possession and attempted 21 shots to Levante’s 12. It also recorded 542 total passes to Levante’s 331 and won nine corners compared with Levante’s three. However, Levante produced seven shots on target, while Athletic had four, and the hosts’ expected-goals figure was 2.05 against Athletic’s 1.95. The numbers suggest Athletic carried more of the ball and shooting volume, while Levante were more effective with their opportunities.

A decisive night for Brugué

Brugué was the standout performer, earning an 8.6 rating. His two goals came in a two-minute spell and established the half-time lead that Levante protected. He was substituted after 72 minutes, before Eyong later scored the decisive final goal.

Going into the match, Levante were listed 11th with 10 points from nine games, one point ahead of Athletic Club, listed 13th with nine points from eight games. Levante’s win followed a pre-match sequence of loss, draw, win, draw, loss, loss, draw, draw, win; Athletic’s sequence was loss, loss, win, win, draw, draw, draw.