Levante overturned a two-goal deficit to defeat Osasuna 3-2 in a thrilling La Liga encounter at the Estadio Ciudad de Valencia on Friday night. Osasuna started strongly, taking the lead in the third minute when Jeremy Toljan deflected the ball into his own net under pressure. Ante Budimir extended the visitors' advantage in the 11th minute, finishing calmly from Abel Bretones' cross for his 18th league goal of the season. Levante appeared disjointed early on, but defender Víctor García shifted the momentum with two quick goals. He scored his first in the 35th minute from a corner, reacting fastest at the far post, then stunned the visitors two minutes later with a 30-metre strike that soared into the top corner. The home side gained further advantage just before half-time when Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera was shown a straight red card for handling the ball outside the area. Nigeria-eligible winger Kareem Tunde, who started the match, was substituted at half-time as Luís Castro opted for a more attacking approach. He was replaced by Roger Brugué, a change that helped Levante dominate the second half with 67 percent possession, 35 shots and 15 corners. Substitute goalkeeper Aitor Fernández made several crucial saves to keep Osasuna in the game. The winning goal came in the 90th minute when Cameroon's Karl Etta Eyong, 21, scored with a diving header from Alan Matturro's headed assist.
Kareem Tunde played 46 minutes as Levante trailed 2-0, then was replaced at half-time despite the team's eventual comeback. The decision to substitute him suggests his impact was not seen as pivotal to the turnaround, even as the home side dominated possession and chances after the break. No Nigerian or African player scored or assisted in the match.
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