Leverkusen kick off title defence with 11th-minute winner

Super Eagles forward Victor Boniface was in action for Bayer Leverkusen as they began their Bundesliga title defence with a win on Friday night.

Florian Wirtz scored a dramatic winner from a penalty rebound in the 11th minute of added time to seal a 2-1 win over Borussia Monchengladbach.

Wirtz followed up to score after his penalty, awarded for a foul on Amine Adli, was saved by Jonas Omlin.

The winning goal came after Leverkusen, last season’s unbeaten champions, had squandered a two-goal lead.

Leverkusen’s victory, away from home, followed their German Super Cup victory over Stuttgart on penalties.

In their Bundesliga opener, Xabi Alonso’s side took the lead after just 12 minutes, with Granit Xhaka’s powerful strike beating Omlin. They dominated from the start, with Boniface and Edmond Tapsoba hitting the post.

Also Read: Boniface named Rookie of the Season in Germany

Wirtz doubled the lead by scoring after Alejandro Grimaldo’s shot was blocked.

Monchengladbach thought they had hit back before the break, but Tim Kleindienst’s goal was ruled out for offside by VAR.

Nico Elvedi finally made it 2-1 in the 59th minute with a header, and Kleindienst equalized in the 85th minute with a close-range finish.

However, Wirtz’s extra-time heroics secured the three points for Leverkusen.

Leverkusen kick off title defence with 11th-minute stoppage-time winner first appeared on Latest Nigeria News | Headlines from Ripples Nigeria.