Valencia clinched a vital 2-0 derby victory over Levante, with second-half strikes from Largie Ramazani and Umar Sadiq proving decisive.
The eagerly anticipated Valencian derby at Estadio Ciudad de Valencia saw relegation-threatened Levante host local rivals Valencia on February 15, 2026. Levante sat 19th in La Liga with 18 points, while Valencia, just two places above in 17th, sought to distance themselves from the drop zone. Both teams entered the match under pressure, needing points to improve their league standing.
The first half proved to be a cagey affair, marked by cautious play and a lack of clear-cut chances. Valencia's F. Ugrinic received the game's first booking in the 17th minute for a trip.
Despite Valencia holding slightly more possession at 53%, neither side managed to assert significant attacking dominance. Levante created nine total shots, but only one found the target, reflecting their struggles in the final third.
Valencia’s goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski made one crucial save, keeping the score level. The home side failed to truly test him throughout the opening 45 minutes.
As the teams headed into the break, the score remained goalless. Valencia needed more penetration in attack, while Levante had to find a way to convert their territorial play into genuine threats on goal.
Valencia’s manager introduced a triple substitution in the 58th minute, bringing on Guido Rodriguez, Umar Sadiq, and Javi Guerra. This tactical adjustment immediately paid dividends, injecting fresh energy into the visitor's attack.
Just six minutes later, in the 64th minute, Largie Ramazani broke the deadlock. He received a precise pass from Luis Rioja before slotting the ball past the Levante goalkeeper, giving Valencia a crucial lead.
Levante made their own raft of substitutions in the 69th and 78th minutes, attempting to find an equalizer. However, their efforts were largely fruitless against a resolute Valencia defense.
Valencia sealed the victory in the 84th minute through substitute Umar Sadiq. Javi Guerra provided a well-timed assist, allowing Sadiq to guide the ball home and double his team's advantage.
The match ended with a flurry of late cards, highlighting the derby's intensity. Levante’s M. Moreno received a yellow card for unsportsmanlike conduct in the 85th minute. In stoppage time, K. Arriaga of Levante was sent off in the 90+5 minute after receiving two quick yellow cards for unsportsmanlike conduct, while Valencia's J. Vazquez also saw yellow for delaying the game.
Valencia's clinical finishing was evident, converting their two shots on target into two goals from a total of five attempts. Their expected goals (xG) stood at 0.68. Levante, despite a similar xG of 0.63, lacked efficiency, managing only one shot on target from nine total efforts.
This decisive derby win moves Valencia up the La Liga table, providing valuable momentum and increasing their distance from the relegation zone. For Levante, this defeat deepens their struggles, leaving them firmly entrenched in 19th position and intensifying their fight for top-flight survival.
