Levante welcomed Real Zaragoza to Valencia on Thursday in the first leg of their fifth-round clash in the Copa del Rey.
A largely uneventful opening period brought few chances for either side, but Zaragoza did look the team most likely to open the scoring.
Levante improved after the interval, but it was the away side that won it late on courtesy of a sensational finish from Carlos Aranda.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's live minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our action comes from Valencia as Levante and Real Zaragoza clash in the first leg of their fifth-round clash in the Copa del Rey. Valencia and Barcelona have already secured comprehensive first-leg wins this week, but Real Madrid have work to do having lost to an impressive Celta Vigo outfit on Wednesday.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Levante have failed to win any of the last five matches. Four La Liga fixtures have been played since 2011, with three wins and a draw for Zaragoza. Levante were also defeated 2-1 when the two sides met in the Segunda Division at the beginning of 2009.
We are still awaiting the confirmed team news. Meanwhile, let’s take a look at how both sides have fared in the league this season. Levante currently occupy sixth spot in the table, just one point outside of a Champions League place. They have also lost just one of their last five matches in all competitions and have emerged as the surprise package this season.
Zaragoza, meanwhile, have made a fairly encouraging start to the season to occupy 12th spot in the table, but three points in their next league fixture could move as high as eighth. They recently ended a run of three straight defeats in all competitions with four points from their last two matches.
Teams:
Levante: Navas; Navarro, Volta, Karabelas, Rodas; Serrano, Pallardo, Michel, Ruben; El Zhar, Angel
Real Zaragoza: Franco; Paredes, Sapunaru, Loovens, Movilla; Wilzhez, Pinter, Oriol, Mari; Aranda, Javi
Both of these teams will be well aware of the financial advantage of a cup run this season, as well as the psychological benefits. Levante will certainly enter the match full of confidence having lost just twice in their last 15 matches on home soil, with those defeats coming at the hands of Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Zaragoza have been in solid form on the road, however. They were impressive despite defeat at Barcelona and were arguably the better side for large periods of their clash with Real Madrid. That said, they have won three times away from home this season and scored in six of their nine competitive matches on the road.
The fact that Levante have only failed to score once in their last 17 home matches points to a match full of goals, especially when you take into account the form of Obafemi Martins for the home side and the experienced Helder Postiga for Zaragoza. A reminder that nothing will be decided this evening with the second leg due to take place next week.
It is difficult to see either side keeping a clean sheet this evening and therefore I am backing a 3-1 win for the home side. Levante really have been in impressive form in recent weeks and are the dark horses for the competition. But they don’t usually shut the opponents out and therefore the elusive away goal should arrive for Zaragoza.
Meanwhile, away goals do indeed count in the Spanish cup competitions. Let's get the action underway on this mild evening in Spain.
Here we go then. Zaragoza get the action underway in the first leg of this fifth-round clash in the Copa del Rey. You just get the feeling that the first goal in this match - if there indeed is one - could prove to be vital. Be sure to remain with for the entirety of the action.
Bright start from Zaragoza as they force an early corner with Javi and Aranada combining in the final third. However, the delivery from Edu Oriol is poor and the danger is cleared by Volta. Pinter eventually strikes an effort from outside the box, but it is wide of the target.
First real attack from the home side as Iborra collects possession out wide before feeding Angel, but the striker cannot return the favour and Paredes steps across to clear the danger. But Zaragoza remain in control of the early proceedings as they force another couple of corners, but they come to nothing.
It's more frustration from the home side as Marti takes possession away from Oriol before driving into the Zaragoza half, but the referee brings the play back for a foul. In truth there was not a great deal in it. Zaragoza again come close with an effort down the other end, but Aranda fires over the crossbar from close range.
Zaragoza continue to dominate possession in the early stages of this match with the home side failing to settle. Obafemi Martins is not in their starting team this evening and they are certainly missing the threat he provides. But we have seen it all too often this season. Levante look under pressure and suddenly they break and open the scoring.
Half-chance for the home side this time as Rodas fires a long pass towards Angel, but the striker just cannot sort out his feet in time and the danger is cleared. Angel finds himself with possession moments later, but his tame effort is blocked and collected by the Zaragoza stopper. Little under 11 minutes of the half played.
Not a great deal of football being played by either side at the moment with a host of long passes into the opposing penalty areas causing all sorts of problems. But neither has really created a clear opening in the match thus far. Another corner comes to Zaragoza, but once more the delivery is poor and the danger is cleared.
Half-chance for Zaragoza as Mari whips a dangerous cross into the Levante penalty area, but Loovens can only direct his header over the crossbar. Levante launch an immediate counter-attack as Iborra searches out El Zhar, but Leo Franco comes to the edge of his area to collect.
Another dangerous cross from Jose Mari threatens to cause problems inside the Levante penalty area, but Rodas manages to hook clear of the box. The pressure remains as Cruz hassles Lopez out wide, but the striker is deemed to have fouled the Levante defender and play is restarted with a free kick.
I cannot remember the last time a team came to Levante and dominated possession in the manner that Zaragoza have in this opening 19 minutes of football. The few times the home side have got on the ball the final pass has been poor. But it would be so typical of them this season to take the lead against the run of play.
Slightly better from Levante in the past few moments with El Zhar and Pallardo both enjoying possession in wide areas, although their final pass continues to elude them. Zaragoza continue to enjoy more of the ball in midfield, but they are also struggling to create clear openings.
CHANCE! Clearest opening of the match falls to the away side as Adam Pinter drives into the Levante half before finding Aranda in the box, but the striker just cannot sort out his feet in time and his shot is blocked by Rodas. The striker hits the deck under the resulting challenge, but the referee waves away the penalty appeals.
Half-chance for Levante down the other end as the pace of El Zhar takes him past Movilla, but his cross is met by Loovens only for Franco to collect off his own defender. There were cries of back-pass from the home supporters, but it was a flailing leg rather than a clear pass back to his goalkeeper. Little over 20 minutes of the first half remaining.
Yet more frustration for the home side as Roger takes possession away from Loovens on the edge of the Zaragoza box, only for the referee to blow for a free kick and another Levante attack is brought to an end. It cannot be emphasised how much they are missing the movement and pace of a certain Martins.
Zaragoza continue to dominate possession as we approach the 30-minute mark in the match, but chances remain at a premium for both sides. Levante rarely fail to score and Zaragoza are not known for their tight defence. But at the moment there are no signs that the deadlock will soon be broken.
The first yellow card of the match is handed to Jose Mari for a foul on Iborra. That has been a key part of the Zaragoza gameplan this evening, they have not allowed Levante to advance unchallenged into their own half. Meanwhile, a half-chance comes to Pallardo as he strikes from distance, but Franco collects.
Levante continue to defend their own penalty area as Zaragoza force them deeper and deeper with their dominance of the possession. However, it is leaving no room in behind and therefore it has not been the most enthralling 33 minutes of Spanish action we have seen this season.
Another long pass from the away side comes to nothing as Paredes attempts to find the run of Cruz, but Rodas is on hand to shepherd the danger behind for a goal kick. The home side advance down the other end, but El Zhar's cross fails to beat the first man and possession resumes with Zaragoza.
Half-chance for Levante as El Zhar whips a dangerous cross into the penalty area, but Angel just cannot make proper contact with his head and Loovens is on hand to clear the danger for a corner. The resulting set piece is taken by Iborra, but it's positive play from Franco as the goalkeeper comes to collect.
Really bitty period of the match at the moment with both sides giving away free kicks in midfield. Levante had just started to enjoy more of the possession, but the tempo has been broken by a period of petulance from both teams. Although it does appear that El Zhar is struggling here.
Not a great deal to report in terms of attacking pressure in the past few moments. Neither side has really been able to keep hold of possession for an extended period with the midfield exchanging spells with the ball. Little over four minutes of the half remaining and the score remains 0-0 in the first leg of this fifth-round clash.
It's decent football from the away side as the ball is worked wide to Mari, but the midfielder's cross is poor and headed clear by Rodas. The resulting corner is taken by Oriol, but once more the danger is cleared. The temperature has certainly dropped in the last few minutes and the wind is affecting the flight of the ball.
Half-chance for Levante as Iborra strikes an effort from close range, but it moves over the crossbar. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute of football at the end of the half. Zaragoza continue to throw long balls into the Levante penalty area, but the home side's defence has been impressive thus far. Two very well-matched teams on display this evening.
Levante 0-0 Real Zaragoza
So there we have it. The referee brings the opening half of football to an end with the two sides level at 1-1. Zaragoza have certainly dominated the possession, but Levante did grow into the latter stages of the half.
Just a quick reminder that nothing will be decided this evening. The second leg of this fixture will take place next week, but there is much to play for this evening with away goals coming into play in the Copa del Rey. A victory for Zaragoza would place the as firm favourites ahead of the second leg.
Neither side has their star striker on display this evening with Martins and Postiga not in the starting team. Both have certainly missed the experience of their talisman. But unlike Postiga, Martins is on the bench. It would not be a surprise if he was introduced in the second period.
The winner of this tie will face either Real Mallorca or Sevilla in the next round, while the winner of that could meet Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals. They have been paired on the other side to Barcelona and therefore there is a chance of a cup run for a so-called lesser team.
Here we go then. Levante get us underway in the second period. They immediately look for the run of Angel in behind, but the linesman raises his flag and a free kick is given. But that early intent has certainly raised the home supporters.
Again it's good play from Levante as Lopez combines with Angel before whipping a cross into the penalty area, but Franco comes a long way to take the pressure off his defence. He is certainly one of the best in Spain at coming and collecting high crosses.
Not a great deal from Zaragoza in the early stages of the match with a series of high balls dealt with by the home side's defence. Another Levante attack threatens to open the scoring, but Juanlu fires wide from close range. Meanwhile, first change of the match for Zaragoza as Jose Mari is replace by Apono.
Levante continue to enjoy the better of the possession in the opening stages to the second period. But you just get the feeling that the more they open up the better chance Zaragoza having a threatening in behind. That almost transpires as Aranda ghosts into the box, but Navas makes the save to his left.
Again it's smart work from Aranda as the Zaragoza striker collects possession in the penalty area before turning and striking at goal, but Rodas is on hand to make the block. The resulting corner is taken by Oriol, but the referee awards a free kick for pushing in the penalty area.
Zaragoza have the ball in the back of the Levante net as Cristian Sapunaru converts from close range, but once more the whistle had already gone for a foul in the penalty area. The home side's impressive start to the second period has just faded somewhat with Zaragoza continuing where they left off in the opening half.
Zaragoza remain the side more likely to open the scoring as Adam Pinter combines with Aranda in the penalty area, but the latter cannot sort out his feet in time and the danger is cleared. However, they are awarded a free kick moments later as El Zhar chops Volta down in a wide area. Levante are struggling as we approach the hour mark.
The offside flag remains the biggest obstacle for Levante as twice they force good positions with Angel and Marti involved, but both attacks are cut short by the linesman much to the frustration of the home crowd. They just haven't really got going at any point this evening.
Another free kick is awarded to the away side as Aranda evades the challenge of Roads before hitting the deck. The set piece is taken by Paredes, but the delivery is poor and straight into the arms of Navas. Meanwhile, it appears that Levante are preparing their first change of the evening.
Levante do indeed make their first change of the evening as El Zhar is replaced by Ruben Garcia. Can he inspire his team in the remaining 25 or so minutes in this match? Again we have just entered a sloppy period with neither side able to keep hold of possession for any extended period.
It's good possession from Zaragoza as they pass and probe around the edge of the Levante penalty area, but once more the final pass is forced and the danger is cleared. That phase of play has pretty much summed up the evening's events thus far. It is the kind of match where you would expect a singular goal to be enough to win it.
Best moment of the second period for Levante as Angel combines with Roger in the Zaragoza penalty area, but the latter's cross, which was intended for Lopez, was just cleared by the head of Loovens. That period of play has certainly raised the home supporters as we approach the final 20 minutes of football.
Zaragoza continue to play the better football in and around the Levante penalty area, but still they cannot find the elusive final pass. Aranda remains the bright spark with his pace and movement, but they are missing the knowhow and experience that Postiga provides in their league campaign.
Meanwhile, still no sign of Martins for the home side which is an indication that they would be prepared to accept a 0-0 draw. As it stands it would not be the worst result in the world for either team. But Zaragoza would have to be favourites on their own patch. But you just get the feeling that there is a goal in the latter stages of this one.
Right, we have little over 15 minutes of football to play and still no goals this evening. Both sides continue to exchange spells of possession, but chances have been few and far between in the second period. Well in truth they have been at a premium all evening as another cross is hit long by Iborra.
End-to-end football at the moment as Angel fires a low cross into the Zaragoza penalty area before Aranda is dispossessed moments later down the other end. Meanwhile, here comes Martins. The Levante striker is introduced in place of Roger Marti. Zaragoza also make a change as Wilchez is replaced by Montanes.
Iborra picks up possession and immediately looks for the run of Martins, but the pass is just too long and Franco comes out to collect the danger. But the home side now have the opportunity to look in behind in the remaining 10 minutes of this match. It is set up so delicately for a late goal.
Half-chance for Levante as Pallardo wins a free kick in a wide position. However, the delivery from Iborra is just too high and Juanfran cannot reach the ball. Meanwhile, another change for the away side as Alamo is replaced by Sefan Babovic. Little over 10 minutes of football to play in Valencia.
Zaragoza have just upped the tempo in the past few moments with Aranda and Pinter combining in the Levante penalty area, but after some desperate defending the danger is hooked clear. Martins collects just inside the opposing half, but he cannot turn on the burners as Loovens thumps into Row Z.
A poor header from Rodas almost puts his side in trouble as he doesn't generate enough power to each Navas, but Mendoza bails his fellow centre-back out of jail as he dispossess Aranda. That could have been the chance to secure the decisive away goal. Little over five minutes of football remaining.
It is a case of anywhere will do at the moment as both sides continue to clear their lines under pressure in the air. It does appear that both managers have settled for a 0-0 draw this evening. It would place Zaragoza as favourites, but away goals do count in the Copa del Rey and therefore a Levante strike next week would mean that the home side would need to score twice.
Little over two minutes of football to play in this fifth-round Copa del Rey clash and the score remains level. No real chances to report in the last few minutes with both sides continuing to exchange spells of possession in midfield. But it would probably be fair to state that Zaragoza are the more adventurous.
CHANCE! Best moment of the second period by some distance as Juanlu strikes an effort from outside the box, but Franco is on hand to push the danger over the crossbar. What an effort and what a save.
Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes of football at the end of the match. Will there be a late winner here? Levante have started the force the issue in the last couple of minutes, but to no avail.
It's good work from Martins as the striker collects possession before turning and attempting to feed Angel, but the ball skids off the turf and Franco is on hand to collect. Now it is Zaragoza's turn to attack.
GOAL! Levante 0-1 Real Zaragoza (Aranda)
OH MY WORD! It is just sensational from Carlos Aranda as the striker picks up possession before driving to the edge of the area and chipping an effort over the head of Navas. That is finishing of the highest order. You just felt that there was going to be a goal in this match.
Levante attempt to respond immediately as Martins looks for the run of Angel once more, but to no avail as Loovens steps across to clear the danger. We have little under 20 seconds to play here and Zaragoza have a vital away goal.
Levante 0-1 Real Zaragoza
So there we have it. A late strike from Aranda is enough to hand Zaragoza a 1-0 lead ahead of the second leg next week. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and join us for more Spanish football at the weekend. Until then!
