Super Eagles and Bayer 04 Leverkusen striker, Victor Okoh Boniface, was involved as his side clinched a late winner against Borussia Monchengladbach, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 23-year-old was drafted into Die Werkself's starting eleven, flanked by Florian Wirtz and Jonas Hoffman with his Nigerian teammate, Nathan Tella, relegated to a place on the substitute's bench after he started the DFL Super Cup against VfB Stuttgart.
Xabi Alonso's men got the breakthrough in the 12th minute, with former Arsenal man, Granit Xhaka, belting a powerful half-volley into Jonas Omlin's goal with his shot travelling at a speed of 129km/hr. The Switzerland captain opted to not celebrate against his former side.
GRANIT XHAKA TAKE A BOW 🔥
What a goal to start the Bundesliga season 👏 pic.twitter.com/BOktHOYdMa
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 23, 2024
Last season's Bundesliga Player of the Season, Florian Wirtz, benefitted from a deflection to score the game's second in the 38th minute., putting Leverkusen two goals up.
Things were going Leverkusen's way at Borussia Park until the 59th minute when Nico Elvedi pulled one back for the home side. A brilliantly worked set piece saw Ko Itakura head the ball across goal, allowing his defence partner to tap home to pull one back.
Boniface, on the other end, trying to put the game to bed for Leverkusen, but Itakura continued to get the better of the Nigerian who was withdrawn in the 82nd minute and was replaced by Amine Adli.
Three minutes later, debuting striker, Tim Kleindienst, scored after a brilliant passage of play, with Frank Honorat playing a huge part. Kliendienst put the deftest of finishes in place to level the game for Gerardo Soane's men.
Referee Robert Schröder, who had been to the VAR screen twice to properly review both Gladbach goals added ten minutes to the game time at the end of the ninety, and just at the death, had to consult with his assistants after Itakura fouled Amine Adli.
The German referee pointed to the spot in the 102nd minute, and Florian Wirtz stepped up to take the resulting spot-kick. The 21-year-old placed his shot into the bottom corner, and Omlin was equal to the task, but the young midfielder took no chances with the rebound, burying the ball into the back of the net.
YESSSS!!! We open the season with a win! 💪⚫️🔴
90+10′ | 2-2 | #BMGB04 pic.twitter.com/iKDQX0QEKx
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) August 23, 2024
Leverkusen continue their campaign as they travel to the Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld on Wednesday to play against RegionaLiga side, Carl Zeiss Jena in the first Round of the DFB Pokal.
