Levante snap winless run with convincing victory over Athletic Bilbao

Levante secured a 3-1 home victory over Athletic Bilbao in their rescheduled La Liga Matchday 6 clash. Roger Brugué proved to be the hero for the hosts, netting a quickfire brace (20', 22'). Alex Berenguer pulled one back from the penalty spot in the 67th minute, but the visitors were soon reduced to ten men when Aymeric Laporte was shown a straight red card (72'). Karl Etta Eyong sealed the win deep into stoppage time (90+7'), ending Levante's five-match winless streak in the Spanish top flight.

Levante broke the deadlock in the 20th minute. Following a scramble in the penalty area, the ball fell to Dani Requena, who picked out an unmarked Brugué to slot home the opener.

Just two minutes later, the hosts doubled their advantage. Tiago Fernández unleashed a strike that was parried by Unai Simón, but Brugué reacted quickest to fire in the rebound from close range and make it 2-0.

Athletic found a way back into the match in the 67th minute when Alex Berenguer calmly converted a penalty. The spot-kick was awarded following a VAR review after Olasagasti caught Sanadi while trying to clear the ball inside the area. The referee initially waved play on before overturning his decision after consulting the pitchside monitor.

Any hopes of an Athletic comeback suffered a major blow five minutes later when they were reduced to ten men. Aymeric Laporte was sent off with a straight red card for bringing down the clean-through Dani Requena.

Levante put the result beyond doubt in the 97th minute. Requena's effort was saved by Unai Simón, but Karl Etta Eyong reacted fastest to tap home the loose ball and wrap up the 3-1 win.

The victory moves Levante onto 10 points, lifting them above Athletic Bilbao into 11th place in the standings. The Basque side remain on nine points, slipping to 13th.