Cádiz CF closed out the first half of the LaLiga season by claiming an important point in a hard-fought 2-2 draw with Levante UD at the Ramón de Carranza.
The hosts went ahead early courtesy of a goal by Alberto Perea, only for Roger Martí to turn the scoreboard on its head in the blink of an eye. Before half time, Juan Cala then levelled with a fine header from a corner. The second half brought plenty of entertainment, too, but there were to be no more changes to the scoreboard.
Levante make energetic start but Perea scores on counter
The visitors began the game on the front foot and within the first minute had already tested Conan Ledesma twice - from a direct free-kick wide to the right and a shot from long range – but on both occasions the Cádiz goalkeeper held on.
Cádiz were quick to respond, though, launching a quick break that was finished off expertly by Perea. Receiving the ball on the left of the box, the attacker cut inside his man before stroking right-footed into the far corner.
Cádiz joy short-lived
However, Levante did not let their heads drop and continued to show the same attacking purpose they had before – and got themselves level in no time at all. Jorge de Frutos advanced into the box on the right and cut it back to Roger, who tapped in from close range.
And unfortunately for Cádiz, the away side’s fightback didn’t stop there, as Roger grabbed his second almost immediately afterwards. Carlos Clerc was slightly lucky to wriggle his way into space on the left-hand side of the area before playing the ball into the middle, where Roger snapped up the delivery to beat Ledesma.
Cala equalises in end-to-end affair
It seemed likely that the scoreline would not stay as it was, with both sides going after the three points and fighting for every last ball with maximum intensity – and just before the half-hour mark, Cala’s header got Cádiz back on level terms. Producing an immense leap inside the area, the defender sent a fine effort into the top corner.
Both sides look in vain for winner
As the match progressed, Cádiz and Levante both continued to threaten, albeit neither goalkeeper was forced into a major save. The teams were eager to claim victory, with Levante creating slightly the greater attacking danger of the two.
There were no more goals, however, and as the clock ticked towards the 90, an unwillingness to risk the point in sight began to creep in on both sides.
