VALENCIA, Spain (Interstat) — In a tense and ill-tempered season opener that defied pregame projections, Levante edged Getafe 1-0 on Monday in a La Liga match that saw a late red card and a flurry of yellow cards.

The lone goal came in the 83rd minute from forward Carlos Espí, securing a winning start for the home side at Estadio Ciudad de Valencia. The result handed Getafe a defeat to begin its campaign.

The match was a physical affair from the outset, with Espí himself receiving a yellow card in the 11th minute. The caution was a sign of things to come, as the contest grew increasingly fractious. Getafe’s Luis Vázquez was booked in the 46th minute, and the second half saw a cascade of yellow cards, setting the stage for a chaotic finish.

Espí broke the deadlock late, finishing a play that involved multiple contributors off the bench. The goal was assisted by substitute Dakonam Djené, who entered the match and provided a key pass before being shown a yellow card in the 58th minute.

The closing minutes descended into further disorder. In the 78th minute, both Getafe substitute Zaid Romero and Levante substitute Domingos Duarte were cautioned. Just two minutes later, Levante’s Femenía Far joined them in the book.

The simmering tensions boiled over in stoppage time. In the 90+1 minute, Getafe’s Zaid Romero received a second yellow card, resulting in a red card and reducing his side to 10 men for the final moments. Simultaneously, Levante substitute Sebastián Boselli was shown a yellow card.

Additional cautions followed in the extended stoppage time, with Levante’s Iván Romero booked in the 90+3 minute, capping a match that featured nine yellow cards and one red.

The victory gave Levante a positive start to the La Liga season, while Getafe was left to rue a missed opportunity. The outcome contradicted statistical forecasts, as Interstat’s game simulator had projected a 1-1 draw, and its ELO system gave Getafe a 58.5 percent probability of winning.

Espí’s decisive contribution made the difference in a game where defensive discipline often wavered. Both teams will look to improve their composure as the season progresses, with Levante taking early momentum and Getafe seeking its first points.