Levante - Alavés: Espí double lifts Levante in a match shaped by Parada red card and Coudet speculation
The Levante - Alavés fixture ended 2-0 at the Estadio Ciudad de Valencia on the opening of LaLiga matchday 26, a result that revitalizes Levante’s survival hopes and pushes Alavés closer to the relegation scrap. The match carried added intrigue off the pitch as Eduardo Coudet continues to be linked with a move while he remains under contract with Alavés through 30 June.
Estadio Ciudad de Valencia: match context and standings
Levante arrived at this fixture sitting in the antepenultimate position with 21 points, four points shy of the team immediately above the drop zone when accounting for a game in hand. Deportivo Alavés had 27 points, three clear of the relegation area, making the game pivotal for both clubs. The two sides entered the day with inconsistent form: Levante had lost its previous four matches, while Alavés had salvaged two draws in its most recent four outings and also exited the Copa del Rey during that span.
Levante - Alavés: Carlos Espí the decisive presence
Twenty-year-old academy graduate Carlos Espí, a native of Tavernes de la Valldigna who renewed his contract this week until 2028, produced a decisive double to secure the three points for Levante. Match summaries in the available material agree that Espí scored twice late to complete the win; however, the precise minute marks diverge in the provided accounts—one set of details lists the goals at 87' and 96', while another places them at the 43rd minute and six minutes into stoppage time—an element that is unclear in the provided context.
Víctor Parada’s dismissal and the tactical response
The turning point arrived when Alavés’ left-back Víctor Parada was sent off at 15 minutes into the second half for a second yellow card, leaving Alavés reduced to 10 men. The numerical disadvantage allowed Levante to pile forward and dominate possession; in reaction to the dismissal, Alavés coach Facundo Coudet brought Facundo Garcés on for Toni Martínez to shore up the side. The expulsion changed the match dynamic: Levante intensified its attacks and created repeated aerial and set-piece opportunities aimed at Espí, who ultimately converted.
Key figures on the pitch and officiating
The first half featured clear chances for both teams: Levante’s early efforts came from Iván Romero and Carlos Álvarez, the latter marking his 100th appearance for Levante, while Alavés threatened through shots by Ibáñez and Antonio Blanco. Alavés players Ryan and Dela intervened on several occasions—Dela even clearing a shot off the line—and goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco Sivera produced important saves, though neither the crossbar nor Sivera could prevent Levante’s late winners. The match was controlled by referee Francisco José Hernández Maeso with VAR oversight from Mario Mel.
Coudet, contract situation and off-field narrative
Off the field, Coudet remains the subject of transfer speculation: he has been linked to a vacancy at River Plate created after Marcelo Gallardo’s departure following his last match for the Argentine club on Thursday. Coudet publicly swore "por sus hijos" that nobody from the Argentine club had contacted him. Any club seeking to sign him would need to negotiate with Alavés because his contract with the Basque side runs until 30 June.
Substitutions, squad notes and broader implications
Luís Castro trusted Espí over Karl Etta Eyong, who began on the bench for the third consecutive match and entered late. Other Levante substitutions included Paco Cortés and José Luis Morales, the latter brought on as part of the second-half response. The provided substitution log lists multiple changes with minutes: Carlos Espí in at 56' for Carlos Álvarez, Oriol Rey at 57' for Ugo Raghouber, Facundo Garcés at 62' for Toni Martínez, José Luis Morales at 68' for Paco Cortés, Ander Guevara at 71' for Carles Aleñá, Karl Etta Eyong at 78' for Iván Romero, Iker Losada at 78' for Kareem Tunde, Abde Rebbach at 89' for Ángel Pérez and Carlos Protesoni at 90' for Antonio Blanco.
What makes this notable is the timing and context: a single red card altered the balance in a match central to the relegation fight, and a home-grown 20-year-old’s two goals can have outsized impact on both teams’ seasons. The result gives Levante a vital three points and narrows the margin for Alavés as the season progresses.
