Cup exit after thrilling match

A capacity crowd at the BayArena were treated to an exciting cup tie and some highly attractive football, thanks in no small part to a strong VfB outfit who successfully negated Leverkusen’s passing game with a high block.

Anton gives VfB the lead

A corner saw VfB captain Waldemar Anton rise highest in the box and head home to give Sebastian Hoeneß’s team a 1-0 lead. Leverkusen increased the pressure as the first half wore on, but Alexander Nübel in the VfB goal pulled off a pair of classy saves to deny Alejandro Grimaldo (42’) and Patrick Schick (44’) and maintain his side’s 1-0 lead going into the break.

Spectacular second half

Bayer 04 equalised five minutes into the second half courtesy of an unstoppable long-range effort from Robert Andrich (50‘). VfB’s response was immediate, with Chris Führich putting them back ahead in the 58^th minute.

The excitement levels continued to rise, and with VfB leaving space at the back after a counter-attack, Amine Adli equalised once more for the hosts. In the final minute of normal time, Jonathan Tah then headed home to make it 3-2 for Bayer. VfB threw everyone forward in the four minutes of added time but were unable to level the tie.

Goals

11^th minute: Anton evades his marker at a corner and directs a header inside the right-hand post to make it 1-0.

50^th minute: Andrich takes aim from the edge of the box and picks out the right-hand corner, leaving Alexander Nübel with no chance.

58^th minute: An error at the back from Leverkusen allows VfB to regain possession. Enzo Millot feeds Führich, who fires an inch-perfect shot inside the left-hand post.

66^th minute: Florian Wirtz lofts the ball forward. Adli outpaces Hiroki Ito and converts to make it 2-2.

90^th minute: Wirtz lifts a cross into the box and finds Tah unmarked. The defender’s header finds the back of the net and Leverkusen lead 3-2.