Levante finally broke their home hoodoo in dramatic fashion, scoring deep into stoppage time to edge Elche 3-2 in a thrilling La Liga encounter on Friday night and strengthen their fight against relegation.
Heading into the clash, Levante were the only side yet to taste victory at home this season, and it looked like that unwanted record would continue when Álvaro Rodríguez fired Elche ahead just 11 minutes in.
The hosts, however, showed renewed belief after the break. Pablo Martínez restored parity five minutes into the second half with a clever and audacious flick that lifted the Ciutat de València crowd.
Momentum swung Levante’s way midway through the half when Adrián de la Fuente completed the turnaround, only for Elche to respond late.
Adam Boayar stunned the home fans in stoppage time with a spectacular overhead kick that appeared to have rescued a point for the visitors.
But Levante had the final say. In the 96th minute, Alan Matturro rose highest to meet a corner and nod home the decisive goal, triggering wild celebrations in the stands.
“Our fans gave us the belief we needed,” Martínez said after the match. “Because of them, we found the third goal and gave them something to celebrate.”
Since Luís Castro replaced Julián Calero shortly before Christmas, Levante have collected seven points from four matches. Although they remain second from bottom, they now sit four points clear of Oviedo and just two behind Alavés.
Elche, meanwhile, stayed eighth in the standings.
