Sports
Bayer Leverkusen Triumph in Seven-Goal Thriller Against VfL Wolfsburg
Bayer 04 Leverkusen pulled off a stunning victory against VfL Wolfsburg in a thrilling Bundesliga match that ended 4-3 in favor of the hosts. Victor Boniface clinched the win with a dramatic stoppage-time goal, marking a remarkable comeback for the defending champions.
The BayArena was alive with energy as Bayer Leverkusen returned to the Bundesliga after a midweek Champions League success. Patrik Schick was notably included in the starting lineup for the first time this season, while Wolfsburg introduced Mohamed Amoura for his debut start, showcasing the visitors’ offensive ambitions.
The match ignited almost immediately, with Wolfsburg taking an early lead in the 5th minute after an untimely own goal created by a threatening cross. Leverkusen quickly responded nine minutes later when Florian Wirtz, demonstrating his promising talent, leveled the score with a precise strike, assisted by his fellow teammate.
As the first half unfolded, Leverkusen intensified their efforts, eventually taking the lead in the 32nd minute courtesy of a header from Edmond Tapsoba. However, Wolfsburg’s resilience was evident as they equalized five minutes later with a goal from a corner kick.
Just before halftime, Wolfsburg’s Mattias Svanberg showcased his skills with an impressive solo run, concluding with a powerful strike that gave the visitors a 3-2 lead at the break, much to the dismay of the home fans.
Under the guidance of coach Xabi Alonso, Leverkusen entered the second half rejuvenated. Piero Hincapié, a strategic substitution, made an impact by scoring with a header early in the second half to bring the score to 3-3.
Wolfsburg remained a threat, particularly on the counter-attack, and had an opportunity to seize the game when Salih Özcan narrowly missed a chance. However, tensions boiled over when Wolfsburg’s Jonas Wind was shown a red card in the 88th minute for a dangerous tackle, tipping the balance in favor of the home team.
The decisive moment came in the dying minutes, with substitute Victor Boniface delivering the match-winning goal. His last-minute effort came from a sharp turn and a clinical low finish, igniting wild celebrations among the Leverkusen supporters.
Throughout the match, Florian Wirtz stood out with his stellar playmaking, despite being the most pressed player on the field. His ability to maintain high performance levels under pressure, along with a pass efficiency rating of +6.4, highlighted his pivotal role in the Leverkusen lineup.