Valencia FC Women kicked off their 2026 pre-season in emphatic style on Wednesday afternoon, securing a commanding 3-1 victory over city rivals Levante UD Women in an entertaining International Club Friendly at their training complex. The local derby may have been labeled a friendly, but there was nothing casual about the intensity on display as both sides used the fixture to sharpen their squads ahead of the new campaign.

Match Overview

Played in warm August conditions with kickoff at 15:30, the match served as an early-season benchmark for two of Spain's most historic women's football clubs. Valencia FC Women took control with a polished attacking display, while Levante UD Women showed flashes of promise but ultimately struggled to contain their hosts' tempo and pressing intensity. The 3-1 scoreline gave Valencia a confidence-boosting result in front of their own supporters.

First Half: Valencia's Early Dominance

Valencia came flying out of the blocks and stamped their authority on the game from the opening minutes. Their high press forced Levante into several early errors, and it was no surprise when the hosts broke the deadlock in the 14th minute. A well-worked move down the right flank ended with a precise low cross that was turned home from close range by forward Marta García, leaving the Levante goalkeeper with no chance.

The goal settled any early nerves and Valencia continued to probe. Levante grew into the half as the midfield battle intensified, and they carved out a couple of half-chances, but Valencia's backline held firm. Just before the interval, Valencia doubled their advantage when Lucía Fernández latched onto a lofted through-ball and calmly slotted past the onrushing keeper. At 2-0, Valencia fully deserved their lead and headed into the break with a real sense of control.

Second Half: Levante Responds, Valencia Seals It

Levante UD Women made a series of changes at halftime and emerged with renewed energy. The tactical tweaks paid off almost immediately, as they pulled a goal back within ten minutes of the restart. A smart corner routine found the head of Alba Sánchez at the near post, and her glancing effort made it 2-1. The goal injected life into the Levante support and set up a tense middle period, with both teams trading chances in an open, end-to-end contest.

Despite the pressure, Valencia remained composed and reasserted their control as the half wore on. Their fresh legs off the bench added a new dimension, and in the 78th minute they wrapped up the victory with a brilliant individual effort from Paula Molina, who cut inside from the left and curled a stunning strike into the top corner. The 3-1 scoreline stood as the final whistle confirmed a deserved win for Valencia FC Women.

Tactical Story

Valencia's high pressing and quick transitional play proved decisive throughout the match. Their midfield trio controlled the tempo and consistently found space between Levante's lines, allowing the wide attackers to isolate defenders in one-on-one situations. Levante, meanwhile, showed promise in possession but lacked the final ball in the decisive moments. Their second-half improvement came from a more direct approach, but by then Valencia's game management and superior finishing had already done the damage.

Standout Performances

For Valencia FC Women, matchwinner Paula Molina was the standout performer, with her goal capping a lively display that included several key passes and constant movement. Forward Marta García also impressed, leading the line with intelligence and taking her goal well. On the Levante side, Alba Sánchez was a bright spot in defense and attack, showing good positioning both at set pieces and in open play.

Looking Ahead

For Valencia FC Women, this friendly represents a promising start to their 2026 preparations, offering the coaching staff plenty of positives to build on as they fine-tune their tactics ahead of competitive action. Levante UD Women will look at this match as a learning experience, taking heart from their improved second-half display while knowing there is work to be done defensively. With both clubs set for demanding league campaigns, this early-season derby provided valuable minutes and a first taste of competitive sharpness for a new-look squad.