Hugo Duro scored a bicycle kick goal in the 80th minute to secure a 1-0 victory for Valencia in the derbi against Levante at Mestalla. Carlos Corberán's team ended a seven-game winless streak, while Levante remains in the relegation zone. Morales missed a clear chance to equalize late in the match.
The Valencian derbi between Valencia CF and Levante UD, played on November 21, 2025, at Mestalla stadium, ended in a narrow 1-0 victory for Valencia. Carlos Corberán's team had endured a seven-game winless streak since September but displayed greater control in the second half after a balanced first period.
Valencia started with intensity, but Julián Calero's Levante withstood the high press and looked for counterattacks through players like Carlos Álvarez, Etta Eyong, and Iván Romero. In the first half, Valencia created chances, such as a shot from José Gayà and a cross from Thierry Corréia that Lucas Beltrán headed wide, saved by goalkeeper Ryan. Levante also threatened, with a shot from Oriol Rey and a brilliant move by Álvarez that Toljan headed over.
In the second half, Corberán brought on Hugo Duro to bolster the attack. A goal by Diego López was disallowed by VAR for a millimeter offside on Pepelu. The decisive moment came in the 80th minute: Duro battled for a ball with Manu Sánchez, controlled it with his chest, and received a precise cross from Gayà to score a spectacular bicycle kick that ignited Mestalla.
Levante responded with substitutions like Brugué and Koyalipou, but José Luis Morales squandered a clear chance just before the 90th minute, crossing too far in front of Agirrezabala. The match ended in tension, but Valencia claimed the three points, moving away from the relegation zone, while Levante sinks deeper in the LaLiga EA Sports 2025-2026 standings.