Valencia welcomed Levante to the Mestalla on Saturday knowing that three points would have moved them into fourth position in the table.
It was Levante that took the lead after 16 minutes courtesy of a header from Vicente Iborra, but goals from Jonas and Roberto Soldado left Valencia ahead at the interval.
Both teams had chances in the second period, but Levante secured a point in the final minute when Jose Barkero finished from close range.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our final La Liga live commentary of the day comes from the Mestalla as Valenia welcome Levante. Following a strong second part of the season, Valencia are right in the Champions League picture with 13 matches to play. Levante, meanwhile, have just hit a poor run of form in recent weeks.
As mentioned, Valencia currently occupy fifth spot in the table. They are just one point behind fourth-placed Malaga, while they enter the match having taken 11 points from their last six matches. Their home form has also been impressive this season, meanwhile, with eight wins from 13 matches.
Levante may have booked their spot in the latter stages of the Europa League, but they have really struggled in the league in recent weeks, collecting just four points from their last six matches. That run of form has left them in 10th position, but back-to-back wins could move them into the European picture once more.
TEAMS:
VALENCIA: Guaita; Mathieu, Ruiz, Albelda, Pereira; Guardado, Parejo, Canales, Feghouli; Jonas, Soldado
LEVANTE: Munua; Navarro, Juanfran, Vyntra, Ballesteros; Diop, Iborra, Barkero, Rios; Garcia, Acquafresca
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch. Just a quick note on the main team news. Canales starts for the home side, while Mathieu, Albelda and Parejo are handed starting berths. Levante leave Martins on the bench, meanwhile, with Acquafresca joining Ruben Garcia in attack. The away side get the action underway.
Not a full house inside the stadium this evening, but there is a strong atmosphere. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital. Not too much to report in the opening couple of minutes as both teams attempt to feel their way into the match.
Valencia have just started to take control of the possession in the last minute or two with Dani Parejo and Sergio Canales joining their forward players. The former attempts to slip a low pass towards Soldado, but Juanfran is quickly on the scene. It is a surprise that Martins has been left on the Levante bench this evening.
It's good work from Soldado as the Spanish striker collects possession out wide before firing a low cross into the box. It almost falls for Jonas, but Diop is on hand to clear into the opposing half. Levante just cannot keep hold of possession at the moment with Valencia very much in the ascendancy. Meanwhile, there have been a couple of late challenges from both teams.
Half-chance for Rios as the Levante midfielder meets a flick from Garcia before thumping his effort towards the top corner, but it was always moving high of the crossbar. Jonas has a similar effort down the other end moments later, but it is the same conclusion. No real clear opportunities for either side in the opening eight minutes.
REFEREE IS FELLED! All smiles inside the stadium as referee Carlos Velasco is flattened by Pereira in the Valencia half. Some had called for the stretcher, but the Spaniard has been deemed fit to continue. He is now receiving a massage. That has certainly lightened the mood around the stadium. What a surreal moment.
For me, that is a clear act of timewasting from the referee. He should be booked for such antics. The smile from Pereira says it all. Did he mean that?! Let's hope not. The biggest cheer of the match thus far erupts as play continues with a drop ball. Right, let's get back to serious matters in this La Liga clash.
Half-chance for the home side as Parejo finds Soldado in the penalty area, the Spanish striker takes one touch before striking towards the bottom corner, but it just moved wide of the post. It does appear that we may have to switch the referees here. Another official is readying himself on the side of the pitch. Not too much to report in terms of chances for either side with 14 minutes on the clock.
Levante have just started to enjoy more of the possession in the last few minutes, but without Martins they don't have that threat behind the defence. A cross into the Valencia box does cause problems, but Albelda is across to clear at the vital moment. Decent pressure from the away side.
GOAL! Valencia 0-1 Levante (Iborra)
First blood to Levante! Not the prettiest of goals as Iborra meets a corner before flicking his header into the back of the net, but they all count. Poor defending from the home side it must be said. What a goal in the context of Levante's season.
You cannot say that it is entirely against the run of play with Levante just threatening in the last five or so minutes. It is now up to the home side to respond. They attempt to do just that as Jonas combines with Soldado in the penalty area, but the resulting effort is just wide of the post.
Again Soldado is involved for the home side as he collects possession before dancing past two defenders, but the challenge from Vyntra stops the striker in his tracks. Guardado eventually drives a low cross into the box, but the ever-willing Ballesteros clears under pressure from Jonas. Meanwhile, it appears that the referee has now recovered from his trauma!
Slightly scrappy period of the match in the last few minutes with neither side taking too much care with possession of the ball. Valencia have certainly looked the most likely to add to the scoring since falling behind, but they are lacking real penetration in the final third. They need to get the likes of Canales and Parejo on the ball.
In fairness to the home supporters they have remained with their side in this match, but this is just about as poor as I have seen Valencia play at home all season. A half-chance comes for Levante to make it two as Garcia meets a cross from Iborra, but his effort is straight at Guaita.
The referee keeps his cards in his pocket despite a late challenge from Rios on Parejo, much to the frustration of the home supporters. Valencia continue to dominate possession, but they are not really going anywhere with it, as each attack ends with an aimless cross into the box.
GOAL! Valencia 1-1 Levante (Jonas)
What was I just saying? No real threat from Valencia? What do I know? It's a really poor goal for Levante to concede as the ball bounces in the penalty area, there are no takers in a blue shirt, therefore Jonas steps in to thump into the back of the net. Game on.
Valencia come close to taking the lead moments later as Soldado fires a high cross into the box, but Munua jus comes out to collect under pressure from Jonas. Soldado is again involved moments later as he strikes an effort from outside the box, but it moves wide of the post.
Nervous about the result. Want to 'Cash in your Bet'. See how with William Hill.
Another half-chance comes to the home side as Canales thumps an effort from distance, but Munua is more than equal to the danger. Little under 15 minutes of the first period to play and the score remains level at 1-1. However, the home side certainly look the team more capable of taking the lead.
Again Canales is involved for the home side as he finds Pereira on the right, the defender takes one touch before firing a low cross into the penalty area, but it was just too powerful for Soldado. Levante really need to ride out this period without the ball. Another goal at this stage could prove extremely detrimental to their chances.
I don't mean to sound like a broken record, but why on earth is Martins not starting for Levante? The away side cannot keep the ball for love nor money, but the Nigerian's pace would cause all sorts of problems on the break. I suspect that we will not see the former Newcastle United forward unless Levante fall behind.
Half-chance for the away side as Barkero strikes an effort from distance, but Guaita was always comfortable in claiming. The Valencia stopper attempts to start a counter for his side, but Pereira's ball down the line is short of the required quality. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining.
If Valencia want to secure a top-four finish this season, then these are the type of matches that they really need to win. Likewise, Levante's hopes of securing European football will be put under threat away from home against the likes of Valencia. A half-chance arrives for Valencia as Pereira strikes from distance, but it just moves wide of the post.
Finally Levante enjoy an extended period of possession, but it quickly comes to a halt as Barkero loses control on the right. Parejo attempts to drive right down the heart of the Levante defence, but Acquafresca comes back to make the challenge. Slightly bitty end to this first period.
Penalty shout for the away side as Ruiz throws a high foot into a challenge with Rios, but the referee is not interested in the claims. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes of added time.
Not too much to report in the latter stages of the half, with the tempo interrupted by a series of free kicks. Valencia continue to look the most likely to add to the scoring with Soldado and Jonas involved outside the box, but neither can find the back of the net. The home side also have a penalty shout turned down as Jonas tumbles in the box.
GOAL! Valencia 2-1 Levante (Soldado)
Oh my good grief. That is just stunning from Soldado as the Spanish striker meets a cross from Pereira before thumping an unstoppable volley into the back of the net. Incredible effort from the forward. Contender for goal of the season.
Acculmulator going well - want to take your money now - check out William Hills 'CASH IN MY BET' service
HALF-TIME: Valencia 2-1 Levante
Well, Levante were preparing to enter the break level on terms, but someone had not told Soldado. A stunning effort from the Spaniard has sent his team into a half-time lead. It was Levante that took the lead early on through Iborra, but Jonas equalised after 27 minutes.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have the likes of Piatti, Valdez and Viera on their bench for this particular match. Meanwhile, Levante also have options in the shape of Martins and Michel. I would be astounded if the former was not introduced in the early stages of the second period.
As it stands, Valencia would move above Malaga into fourth position in the table. Meanwhile, Levante would remain in 10th following a disappointing run of form. You just get the feeling that Soldado's goal just before the interval has really harmed Levante's chances of taking something from the Mestalla.
Just a quick reminder of what we have to come tomorrow on Sports Mole. Join us from 10.30am for Granada against Real Mallorca, before three back-to-back matches to get underway from 3.30pm with Espanyol welcoming Real Valladolid, Malaga hosting Atletico Madrid and Real Betis travelling to Real Sociedad.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of the second period. No changes for either side at the interval, which is perhaps not too surprising based on events in the first half. The home side get the action underway.
It must be said that there is a stunning atmosphere inside the stadium in the early stages of the second period. A half-chance does come for the home side as Jonas turns on the edge of the box before whipping a cross into the box, but it was always too powerful for Soldado. Levante just need to offer something different in the early stages of this half.
Valencia continue to dominate in the early stages of the half with a succession of corners. A long-range strike from Albelda comes close to their third as he thumps an effort from outside the box, but Munua gets down to make the save. One-way traffic at the moment.
First sighter for Levante in the second period as Iborra whips a high cross into the penalty area, but Guaita comes a long way to collect. A similar opportunity arrives down the other end, but the goalkeeper prevails once more. Still no movement on either bench, although I expect Levante to make changes around the hour mark of the match.
Parejo attempts to go alone for the home side as he drives through the heart of the Levante midfield, but his final pass towards Soldado is just too powerful for the striker. You just get the feeling that the next goal in this match - if there indeed is one - will decide the result. Levante simply cannot concede again.
Bet £25 and get a £25 FREE bet with William Hill, click here to join now. T&Cs apply, new customers only
It just isn't quite happening for Valencia in the final third at the moment with each attack ending with a poor pass. This match is there for the taking if they wish to wrap it up early. Meanwhile, Levante do indeed make two changes as Michel and Martins replace Acquafresca and Diop.
Levante should at least pose more of an attacking threat in the latter stages of this match with the pace of Martins. A half-chance for Valencia to score a third arrives down the other end, however, as Jonas turns in the box before curling an effort towards the bottom corner, but Munua is across to make the save.
Little under 30 minutes of football remaining this evening, with Valencia leading 2-1 courtesy of that wonderful strike from Soldado. Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last few minutes, but the home side remain very much in the ascendancy.
Levante have just become ever so scrappy in the last few minutes as they continue to concede free kicks outside the penalty area. The latest is taken by Parejo, but it takes a deflection off the wall before moving behind for a corner. Valencia really need that third goal in order to settle this tie. At 2-1, Levante are always in it.
Valencia do indeed have the ball in the back of the net as Soldado converts from close range, but the 'goal' is chalked off for offside. Correct decision for me. Levante attempt to create a chance down the other end when Rios darts into the box, but his cross is straight into the arms of Guaita.
Another free kick is awarded to Valencia as Iborra fells Canales. The resulting set piece is taken by the Spanish midfielder, but his effort was always moving over the crossbar. It must be said that the atmosphere has not dropped in this stadium despite a relatively low-key second period thus far.
Half-chance for the away side as Michel collects a pass from Martins before thumping an effort towards the bottom corner, but Pereira was on hand to make a fine block. On the balance of play, Valencia should be home and over the hill, but Levante always have that danger in the final third.
Again Valencia come close as Jonas finds Canales on the penalty area, the Spaniard takes one touch before striking towards goal, but it deflects behind for a corner. The resulting set piece is whipped into the area by Parejo, but Juanfran rises highest to clear before Jonas fires wide from close range.
Half-chance down the other end as Rios drives down the left before firing a low cross into the box, but it is comfortable for Guaita. After calling for Martins to enter the field, I do not think that he has touched the ball. The Nigerian certainly has the ability to secure a point for his side.
CROSSBAR! Stunning from Soldado as the striker picks up possession outside the box before thumping an effort towards the top corner, but it smashes against the crossbar. Meanwhile, Valencia make another change as Tino Costa replaces the impressive Canales.
Slight problem for Jonas as the Brazilian hits the deck for the second time in quick succession, but the playmaker does eventually return to his feet. The resulting free kick is taken by Costa, but Munua comes a long way to clear, before Albelda chips over from close range.
Not too much to report in the last couple of moments, with Valencia comfortable in possession. There is almost an acceptance from Levante that they are going to lose this match. Another half-chance comes to Costa, but the Valencia midfielder fires well wide from outside the box.
Little under 10 minutes of football remaining in the Mestalla, with the home side comfortable with their 2-1 lead. It doesn't appear that Levante have enough about them to score again, but there is always a chance, especially at this level. Meanwhile, Valencia make another change as Nelson Valdez replaces Jonas.
Everything is laboured from Levante at the moment as they pass and probe outside the penalty area, but there is just no real urgency. As it stands, Valencia would move into fourth position in the table, while Levante would remain 10th. Another change for the away side as Juanlu replaces Rios for the latter stages.
A half-chance does arrive for the away side as Juanfran meets a cross from Barkero, but the defender is deemed to have felled the Valencia goalkeeper in the process. The home side come close down the other end with Soldado, but once more his effort is deflected wide of the post. Little over five minutes of normal time remaining.
Better pressure from the away side in the last few minutes with Martins and Michel both starting to influence proceedings, but it quickly comes to an end when the former is ruled offside. This could indeed be the last match for Martins with the Nigerian seemingly set to move to the MLS in the next week or so. Watch that space.
GOAL! Valencia 2-2 Levante (Barkero)
Wow! Entirely against the run of play Levante appear to have stolen a point here as Barkero drives into the penalty area before bending his effort into the bottom corner. He has broke Valencia hearts here.
Valdes wants a penalty as he tumbles in the Levante box, but the referee waves play on. Meanwhile, Valencia make their third change of the match as Albelda is replaced by Viera. We are into the first of three added minutes at the end of this match.
Half-chance for the home side to win it in the normal minute as Parejo strikes an effort from outside the box, but Munua is across to make the save. It falls to Feghouli, but the midfielder can only fire over the crossbar. Little over 30 seconds of normal time to play here.
Nervous about the result. Want to 'Cash in your Bet'. See how with William Hill.
FULL-TIME: Valencia 2-2 Levante
Stunning end to this match as Levante score in the final minute to secure a point. As a result, Valencia have failed to move into fourth position in the table. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Be sure to join us for more La Liga football from 10.30am tomorrow. Good evening!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
