Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface proved to be the hero for Bayer Leverkusen, scoring a thrilling extra-time winner to secure a 3-2 victory over Koln, sending his team to the DFB Pokal semifinals.
Bayer Leverkusen rode a wave of momentum into the match, fresh from a 3-1 triumph over Hoffenheim, where Victor Boniface netted the opener. Meanwhile, Koln also entered the contest on a similar streak, having secured consecutive victories.
The quarterfinal matchup between Bayer Leverkusen and Koln was amplified by its status as a fierce derby clash, injecting an additional layer of significance and intensity into the already high-stakes encounter.
Bayer Leverkusen’s control of the first half, marked by sustained possession and scoring opportunities, was dramatically upended just before the interval, as Damion Downs seized the moment to score a stunning goal, handing Koln an unexpected 1-0 lead heading into the break.
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Bayer Leverkusen’s fortunes continued to deteriorate as Linton Maina struck in the 54th minute, doubling Koln’s lead and leaving the visiting side facing a daunting task to overturn the deficit in the remaining minutes of the half.
Nonetheless, Bayer Leverkusen’s renowned resilience paid off once again as they staged an incredible comeback. Patrik Schick’s goal in the 61st minute leveled the scoreline, and his second goal in the final minutes sent the game into extra time in dramatic fashion.
During the extra time, substitute Victor Boniface proved to be the hero, rising to the challenge and scoring the decisive goal. The Nigerian International expertly met Alejandro Grimaldo’s pinpoint cross and slotted it home with clinical precision, giving Bayer Leverkusen a hard-fought lead in the 98th minute.
Victor Boniface’s 10th goal of the season propelled Bayer Leverkusen into the semifinals of the DFB Pokal, and now they’ll wait to see who their next opponents will be. However, their focus will shift to the league, where they’ll face off against Wolfsburg on Saturday.
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