Levante 1–0 Al Qadsiah | International Club Friendly

Spanish side Levante edged Saudi Arabian club Al Qadsiah 1‑0 in a tightly contested international friendly on 26 July 2026, with a solitary first‑half goal proving enough to decide the match. The fixture, part of both teams’ pre‑season preparations, provided Levante’s coaching staff with a valuable test of their defensive organisation and pressing intensity.

Match Overview

Played at Levante's training complex in front of a modest crowd, the game was competitive from the outset. Both sides fielded strong starting line‑ups, with Levante using the opportunity to fine‑tune their shape ahead of the upcoming Spanish Segunda División campaign. Al Qadsiah, preparing for the Saudi Professional League season, showed flashes of technical quality but struggled to break down a disciplined Levante block.

Key Moments

• 38' – Goal (1‑0): Levante’s left winger Jorge Martínez cut inside from the flank and unleashed a curling shot from 20 yards that nestled into the top corner. The strike was the undoubted highlight of the match.
• 62' – Al Qadsiah chance: A sweeping counter‑attack ended with a low cross that was just inches away from the sliding forward, much to the relief of the home defence.
• 84' – Levante disallowed goal: A header from a corner was ruled out for a slight push in the box, keeping the score at 1‑0.

Tactical Story

Levante lined up in a 4‑4‑2 diamond, aiming to control the centre of the park and press Al Qadsiah’s build‑up. The approach worked effectively in the first half, forcing the visitors into misplaced passes. After the break, Al Qadsiah adjusted by switching to a wider formation, which created more space on the flanks but they lacked the final product in the final third. Levante’s full‑backs largely contained the danger, and the midfield three of the diamond controlled possession without needing to chase the game.

Standout Players

• Jorge Martínez (Levante): Scored the match‑winning goal and was a constant threat in wide areas, completing three dribbles and creating two chances.
• Álvaro Sánchez (Levante): The defensive midfielder broke up play effectively and helped maintain a clean sheet.
• Abdulaziz Al‑Faraj (Al Qadsiah): The veteran midfielder showed class in possession and came closest to equalising with a long‑range strike that went just over.

Significance of the Result

For Levante, the clean sheet and competitive performance against a quality opponent will boost morale as their season opener approaches. Manager Javi Calleja will be pleased with the team’s defensive discipline, particularly against a side that often looked to counter. Al Qadsiah, meanwhile, will take positives from their second‑half improvement and the sharpness shown by several players, though finishing remains an area for refinement before the league campaign begins. Friendlies such as this underline the growing globalisation of pre‑season preparation, with clubs from different continents seeking challenging opposition.