Cortés Settles Friendly as Levante Edge Al-Qadsiah

Levante hosted Saudi Arabian side Al-Qadsiah in a club friendly on 26 July, looking to build match sharpness during the summer break. The home crowd provided a decent atmosphere for what was essentially a training ground exercise for both sides ahead of their respective league campaigns. The first half unfolded in typical friendly fashion, with neither team pressing too hard and both sides content to work through combinations at a steady tempo.

Yellow cards flew in at either end as the match developed, with a Levante player cautioned on 22 minutes before an Al-Qadsiah player was shown a card sixteen minutes later. The opening period remained goalless despite both teams having chances to break the deadlock. Everything changed in the second half when P. Cortés found the breakthrough, breaking the deadlock with a well-taken finish on 58 minutes.

Cortés' strike proved decisive in a match that never quite reached fever pitch. Al-Qadsiah pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages but could not find a way past Levante's defence. The visitors created some opportunities but lacked the cutting edge required to trouble their opponents consistently.

Levante's 1-0 victory gives them something to build on as they continue their pre-season preparations. The three points and clean sheet will be satisfying for the home side, though both teams will have learned plenty from the exercise. Al-Qadsiah showed glimpses of quality but will be disappointed not to find the back of the net in a competitive outing.