Adrián de la Fuente became Levante UD's first goalscorer of the 2026-27 season with a headed goal in the 5-0 victory over Real Betis. The Madrid-born centre-back connected with a corner in the 23rd minute to open the scoring in a memorable match, as reported by Mundo Levante UD on Thursday.
This was his eleventh goal in the granota shirt, his fourth in the top flight, cementing his status as one of the highest-scoring defenders in the club's history. The team's display against Betis marked the first win of the campaign after two matchdays without scoring. Dela, as he is known, once again demonstrated his threat in the air.
How did Adrián de la Fuente score his goal?
The goal came from a corner kick taken from the right flank. De la Fuente made an intelligent run, lost his marker and powered a header towards the far post. Betis goalkeeper Álvaro Valles could do little against the accurate finish. The 28-year-old defender is a regular threat from set-pieces and has frequently scored using this method.
His goalscoring record is notable for a centre-back. In the current squad, he is the third-highest scorer among defenders, only behind players with more history at the club. You can check the complete data for all players on our squad page. The win over Betis places Levante in a more comfortable position in the standings after a tough start.
Who were the first scorers in previous seasons?
Levante's recent history shows a variety of players who have opened the scoring account. In the last five campaigns in the First Division, those tasked with scoring the first goal were Roger Martí on two occasions, José Luis Morales also in two seasons, and Jeremy Toljan last campaign against Alavés. De la Fuente now joins this list with a goal that came at a time of need for the team.
Roger Martí did it precisely against Betis on two occasions, scoring a brace in one of them. Morales, for his part, is the club's all-time top scorer in the top flight. The sequence shows that the responsibility for scoring the first goal has fallen on different profiles, from out-and-out strikers to full-backs like Toljan.
What does this goal mean for Levante's season?
De la Fuente's goal not only broke the initial scoring drought but unleashed a flood of goals. The team ended up winning 5-0, which is a huge morale boost. The squad, managed by the coach listed in our squad, showed a very offensive version that had been absent in the first two matchdays.
The victory brings three vital points and significantly improves the goal difference. The fixtures calendar shows the team now faces a series of tough commitments, so starting on the right foot was important. The confidence generated in this match could be key for the coming weeks.
What is Levante's next match?
Following this emphatic victory, Levante UD prepares for its next LaLiga fixture. The team will travel to face Valencia CF at Mestalla next Sunday, September 13th. This regional derby always presents a special challenge and comes at a time of high spirits for the granota side. The match is scheduled for 9:00 PM.
