Sevilla welcomed Levante to the Estadio Ramon on Saturday evening looking to make it nine matches unbeaten in La Liga.
The home side took the lead through Coke after 26 minutes, but a penalty from David Barral left the score level at the interval.
Ivan Rakitic had the chance to send the home side ahead just before the hour mark from the penalty spot, but his effort struck the outside of the post.
Rakitic made up for that miss, however, with the Croatian putting Sevilla 2-1 ahead 20 minutes from time.
However, Levante levelled moments later when Loukas Vyntra's bullet header found the top corner, before Simao Junior won it after 75 minutes.
Both sides finished with 10 men, meanwhile, as Nikos Karabelas saw red for Levante, before Jairo Samperio was dismissed for the home side.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our final live La Liga commentary of the evening comes from the Estadio Ramon as Sevilla welcome Levante. The home side are currently on an eight-match unbeaten run in the league, with that run of form leaving them in seventh position in the table. Levante, meanwhile, sit in 11th having taken 24 points from their 20 matches.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Levante have won two of the last five matches, with the further three fixtures ending in draws. Incredibly, there have been just four goals in the last five matches between the pair, with two goalless draws occurring. Both of Levante’s wins during that period have come on their own patch.
Sevilla enter the match off the back of a 1-1 draw at Atletico Madrid last weekend, but Levante will also enter the match full of confidence following a 1-1 draw with Barcelona. However, as mentioned, they lost 4-1 to the Catalan outfit in the Copa del Rey during the week. Victory for Sevilla this evening would move them into the top six.
TEAMS:
SEVILLA: Beto; Coke, Pareja, Fazio, Navarro; Carrico, Rakitic; Vitolo, Reyes, Bacca; Gameiro
LEVANTE: Navas; Navarro, Karabelas, Vyntra, Juanfran; Lopez, Diop, Simao; Garcia, Ivanschitz, Barral
So there we have it. Kevin Gameiro and Carlos Bacca both start for Sevilla this evening, but Marko Marin continues his recovery from the bench. Ivan Rakitic, as expected, will skipper the home side. Levante, meanwhile, leave Nabil El Zhar and recent signing Nagore on the bench, but Ruben Garcia and David Barral both start. Right, the away side get the first period underway at the Estadio Ramon.
Not quite a full house inside the stadium this evening, but there is a sensational atmosphere. Can Levante break this strong run of Sevilla form? Both enter the match off the back of positive results last weekend. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital in this type of match.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the opening four minutes of football, but Sevilla have taken control of the possession. It must be said that the pitch is in wonderful condition this evening, which will suit both teams. Meanwhile, it is a still night in Seville.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments with a series of late challenges from both sides. Fazio takes matters into his own hands moments later with a deep cross into the Levante box, but David Navarro is on hand to clear under pressure from Bacca.
First real half-chance for the home side as Vitolo collects a diagonal pass from Pareja before driving a low cross towards Gameiro, but David Navarro is on hand to clear at the vital moment. The resulting corner also causes problems inside the Levante box, but Navas does manage to punch clear.
Another opportunity for the home side as Rakitic collects a loose ball on the edge of the box before attempting to fire his effort into the bottom corner, but it just moves wide of the post. Not too much from Levante in the opening 11 minutes with the opportunities falling to the home side.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments with Levante managing to stem the flow of pressure with a period of possession. The home supporters remain in good voice, but they have seen little from Bacca and Gameiro in the opening 13 minutes of this La Liga contest at the Estadio Ramon.
CHANCE! The best chance of the match falls to the home side as Vitolo collects a loose ball inside the box before attempting to slide his effort into the bottom corner, but the brilliant Navas is on hand to make the save. Levante need to fashion something down the other end, but Ivanschitz has been left isolated thus far. Engaging contest, but it remains goalless.
The home supporters continue to create a sensational noise inside the stadium as the first period begins to gather pace. However, their side is being held by a stern and compact Levante team. The away side have possession in the Sevilla half moments later, but it breaks down when Garcia delivers into the arms of Beto.
Penalty shout for the home side as Bacca goes down inside the box, but the referee is not interested. Sevilla continue to utterly dominate the possession, but clear chances have been few and far between. Just a reminder that Sevilla are currently on a nine-match unbeaten run in La Liga.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of a number of late challenges. Meanwhile, a number of offside calls have further interrupted the flow. In truth, it has been a disappointing 22 minutes thus far.
The corner count continues to rise as Rakitic's cross is deflected behind by Juanfran. The resulting set piece is delivered by the Croatian, but Carrico's effort is wide of the post. It is not too difficult to see why Levante frustrated Barcelona last week. They are incredibly compact in defensive areas.
GOAL! Sevilla 1-0 Levante (Coke)
Sevilla take the lead with 26 minutes on the clock as Coke collects possession outside the box before floating one into the top corner via the crossbar. Magnificent finish from the defender.
I am not entirely sure whether that was a cross or a direct effort on goal, but Sevilla have the lead with 29 minutes on the clock. Now it is up to Levante to respond. You just get the feeling that another goal for the home side would be enough to secure the points, even at this stage of proceedings.
PENALTY LEVANTE!
The away side are awarded a penalty as Fazio brings Barral to the floor inside the box. It is a really poor challenge from the Argentine defender.
GOAL! Sevilla 1-1 Levante (Barral, pen)
Levante do indeed level as Barral strikes his effort into the top corner. It is the first time that the away side have been anywhere near the Valencia goal.
There is just something about Levante at the moment. They aren't playing particularly well, but are staying in games. After a fairly dull opening period to this match, it has now burst into life. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining at the Estadio Ramon.
Valencia have the opportunity to regain their lead as Navarro is felled outside the box by Vyntra. The resulting free kick is taken by Reyes, but Fazio heads over the crossbar from close range. Good response from the home side with 10 minutes of the first period remaining.
CHANCE! Opportunity for the home side to take the lead as the ball falls kindly for Rakitic just inside the box, but his effort is deflected wide of the post. The pressure continues with two corners in quick succession, but eventually Fazio's effort is wide of the post. Pulsating encounter at the Estadio Ramon.
BREAKING NEWS: Some news away from this match for a moment. Juan Mata has officially joined Manchester United from Chelsea for a club-record fee.
Half-chance for Levante to threaten from a set piece as Barral delivers a fine cross towards the far post, but Beto is on hand to collect at the vital moment. Sevilla break down the other end with Vitolo moments later, but his cross is straight into the arms of the Levante goalkeeper.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments with a series of late challenges from both sides. A half-chance arrives for Levante moments later as Ruben Garcia strikes one from outside the box, but Beto is on hand to tip his effort over the crossbar. From the resulting corner, the Portuguese is forced to react quickly to a header from Karabelas.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the latter stages of the first period, but Levante have started to threaten since levelling. In truth, a 1-1 draw is just about a fair reflection of what we have seen in the Estadio Ramon. It has been a fascinating encounter thus far.
HALF TIME: Sevilla 1-1 Levante
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 1-1. Sevilla took the lead after 26 minutes following a wonderful strike from Coke, but Levante were level less than five minutes later when Barral converted from the penalty spot after he had been felled by Fazio.
STATISTICS: The home side have dominated the possession with 71%, while they have had eight attempts to Levante's two. In truth, if it were a boxing match, Sevilla would be winning on points, but Levante have been compact in defensive areas.
BENCH WATCH: Sevilla have a number of attacking players on their bench this evening in the shape of Marko Marin, Jairo Samperio, Cristoforo and Trochowski. Meanwhile, Levante have the likes of El Zhar, Angel and Camarasa in reserve. There are certainly goals in that list of players.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital in terms of the final result. Right, the away side get the second 45 minutes underway at the Estadio Ramon. Is there to be a winner in Seville?
One change for Levante at the interval with El Zhar entering the field in place of Ruben Garcia, which is a surprise. Bright start to the half from Sevilla as Bacca drives down the right before delivering a low cross into the box, but Gameiro cannot make contact under pressure from Juanfran.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for El Zhar to send Levante into the lead as he finds some space inside the box, but his effort is wide of the post. End-to-end football in the early stages of the second period. I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals in Seville.
CHANCE! Incredible chance for the home side as Vitolo drives into the Levante box before rounding Navas, but the Levante goalkeeper manages to make a stunning save. It falls to Gameiro in front of an open goal, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Neither defence has turned up for the second 45 minutes!
CHANCES! The opportunities continue to arrive for Sevilla, but the ball just will not go in. Firstly, Bacca is denied by a point-blank save from Navas, before Vyntra heads off the line following an effort from Reyes. How on earth are Sevilla not in the lead?
Sevilla continue to force the issue in the final third with Gameiro and Bacca both causing problems with their movement, but Levante somehow resist the danger. Bacca meets a deep cross from Reyes moments later, but Diop manages to clear at the vital moment. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining.
PENALTY SEVILLA!
Sevilla are awarded a penalty as Diop handles inside the box. It is harsh, but the referee was in a good position. Rakitic will take.
MISS! Rakitic's effort smashes against the post and behind for a goal kick. Levante survive once more. This match somehow remains level.
We are getting to the stage of the match where both managers will be thinking about changes. Sevilla continue to utterly dominate this match, but they cannot find a way through in the final third. Rakitic has been Sevilla's best player this season, but even he has been unable to send his side into the lead. What a final 30 minutes we have ahead.
Levante make their second change of the match as Pedro Lopez is replaced by Camarasa, who will provide some pace and movement in the final third. I would be surprised if this match finished level due to the number of opportunities that have arrived in the second half. It appears that Sevilla are also preparing to make a change.
CHANCE! Another wonderful chance for the home side as Rakitic meets a cross from close range, but somehow Navas keeps it out. What a performance from the goalkeeper. Moments later, Sevilla make their first change with Figueiras replacing Fernando Navarro.
Sevilla must be questioning what on earth they have to do to take the lead in this match. They have had enough chances to win three football games, but Navas has just been sensational. The pressure continues with two corners in quick succession, but Vyntra and Navas take it in turns to clear the danger.
CHANCE! Sevilla are frustrated once more following another tremendous save from Navas, who tips a Carrico header wide of the post. Levante just cannot get out of their own half at the moment as Sevilla force yet another corner.
GOAL! Sevilla 2-1 Levante (Rakitic)
Rakitic makes up for his penalty miss as the Croatian finds some space outside the box before thumping one into the bottom corner. It appears that Navas' vision was compromised by players in front of him.
GOAL! Sevilla 2-2 Levante (Vyntra)
Levante level after 71 minutes as Vyntra rises in the Sevilla box before thumping his header into the top corner. The Greek has now scored in back-to-back league games.
Sevilla make their second change of the match as Marin replaces Reyes, who has faded in the second period. What an incredible La Liga contest this has been in the Estadio Ramon. I still do not think that we have seen the last of the goals with 15 minutes remaining.
Opportunity for Levante to threaten from a free kick as Simao is felled outside the area by Coke. The resulting set piece is taken short to Karabelas, but his low cross is cleared by Fazio. The resulting corner is delivered by Ivanschitz, but once more Fazio clears.
GOAL! Sevilla 2-3 Levante (Simao)
Oh my word. Levante take the lead in Seville as Simao converts from close range after Barral had been denied by Beto. What will happen next?! How on earth are Sevilla losing this match?
Three goals in under 10 minutes has turned this match around. You can just sense the frustration in the crowd at the moment as Levante continue to clear the danger in the final third. Even at this stage of the match, you just get the feeling that we have not seen the last of the goals. Little over 10 minutes of normal time remaining.
Navas is again called into question for Levante to save an effort from Gameiro. Moments later, the French striker falls inside the box, but the referee is not interested. Sevilla then make their second change of the match as Jairo Samperio replaces Vitolo, who has faded in the last 15 minutes or so.
Levante make their third and final change of the match as El Adoua replaces Ivanschitz, which is not much of a surprise. It will be 10 minutes of defending from the away side. In truth, it would be a travesty if Sevilla were beaten this evening.
The pressure continues from the home side as they drive cross after cross into the Levante box. Eventually one falls for Gameiro, but his low effort moves wide of the post. It just is not happening for the home team. Time is not on their side at the moment that is for certain.
Relentless pressure from the home side as they continue to force the issue, but they just cannot find a way through this Levante defence. Levante gain some respite moments later as Fazio fells Navarro inside the box. Little over two minutes of normal time remaining in Seville.
Carrico takes matters into his own hands with an effort from outside the box, but it was always moving wide of the post. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional four minutes and we are indeed into the first of those.
RED CARD! Karabelas (Levante)
Levante will finish the match with 10 men as Karabelas brings Jairo to the ground just outside the box. Tempers are boiling up here.
RED CARD! Jairo (Sevilla)
Oh my word. Jairo has now been sent from the field for pushing Barral following a shoulder-to-shoulder collision. This match is boiling over in the final couple of minutes.
FULL TIME: Sevilla 2-3 Levante
So there we have it. The referee brings this incredible match to an end with Levante winning 3-2. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us again tomorrow for more La Liga football. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
