Levante boosted their La Liga survival chances in dramatic fashion with a thrilling 3-2 away win over RC Celta de Vigo, a result that severely dents the hosts’ hopes of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League.
Claudio Giráldez’s men entered the contest aiming to close the gap on Real Betis in the race for fifth place, but instead found themselves undone by a spirited performance from the relegation-threatened visitors.
Celta started on the front foot and nearly struck early when Mathew Ryan produced a sharp save to deny Fer López following a slick attacking move.
However, the breakthrough soon arrived for the hosts, with Ferran Jutglà finishing clinically in the fifth minute after weaving into the box and firing low into the corner.
That early goal briefly suggested control for Celta, yet Levante gradually grew into the game. Kareem Tunde came close at the near post from Pablo Martínez’s delivery, while Ionuț Radu was forced into action to tip away a powerful header from Kervin Arriaga.
Luis Castro’s side eventually levelled before half-time in fortunate circumstances, as Arriaga’s long-range strike slipped through Radu’s hands and into the net, cancelling out Celta’s opener in the 43rd minute.
After the restart, Celta regained the lead almost immediately. Jutglà struck again, this time finishing first time at the far post from a Javi Rueda cross to restore the hosts’ advantage.
But Levante refused to fold. Adrián de la Fuente produced a moment of brilliance from distance to bring the visitors level once more, stunning the home crowd and shifting the momentum.
The turnaround was completed just six minutes later when Roger Brugué rose unmarked to head in from Jon Olasagasti’s corner, giving Levante a remarkable 3-2 lead.
Brugué later came close to extending the advantage, only to see his effort crash against the crossbar, but the visitors held firm in the closing stages to secure a vital victory.
The result lifts Levante out of the relegation zone and ends a long winless away run, marking their first league victory on the road since January. It also halts a poor run against Celta, whom they had failed to beat in five previous meetings.
For Celta, the defeat leaves their European ambitions hanging by a thread, with Real Betis now in a strong position to further damage their hopes of reaching the Champions League places.
Europa League qualification, however, remains a possibility depending on other results.
