Super Eagles attacker Nathan Tella starred for Bayer Leverkusen as they defeated Wolfsburg 6-3 in the Bundesliga on Saturday, Soccernet.ng reports.
After spending the first two months of the year on the sidelines, Tella returned to action just before the international break. He made substitute appearances against Bayern Munich and Heidenheim prior to the hiatus.
However, coach Kasper Hjulmand threw him straight into the fray upon the return of club football following the international break.
He was named in the starting XI as Bayer Leverkusen welcomed relegation-threatened Wolfsburg to the BayArena.
1️⃣1️⃣ – Come on boys! #B04WOB pic.twitter.com/bHt1XmlMfM
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) April 4, 2026
Given their placement in the Bundesliga standings and apparent quality, Die Werkself were the favorites. However, they were stunned by Wolfsburg, who scored through Jonas Wind after just 16 minutes.
The goal was against the run of play, as Bayer Leverkusen had dominated the early proceedings. Tella even had a look at goal in the second minute, but his shot from the left side of the box was dragged wide. There were also chances for Loïc Baldé, Robert Andrich, and Alejandro Grimaldo.
In the 28th minute, however, Grimaldo drew his side level, converting from the spot after Ibrahim Maza won a penalty.
But just after Die Werkself equalized, Wolfsburg scored again through Joakim Mæhle. Then, in the 38th minute, they added another through Christian Eriksen.
Just before the break, Grimaldo scored his second to halve the deficit. Tella had a busy first half, as he was full of running and looked dangerous with the ball.
However, it wasn't until the second half that he was able to affect the game directly. His trickery and fleet-footedness saw him win a penalty in the 52nd minute after he was hacked down by Saël Kumbedi in the box.
Patrik Schick took charge of the situation and promptly dispatched the ball into the net to make it 3-3.
Tella had a golden opportunity to make it 4-3 in the 60th minute after getting his head on a cross from Ibo Maza, but his effort was inaccurate and sailed over the bar.
Eight minutes later, however, Edmond Tapsoba rifled home a rebound from inside the box to make it 4-3 for the hosts, giving them their first lead of the game.
Five minutes after that, Maza scored to make it 5-3 to Bayer Leverkusen.
After that goal, it was clear that it was game, set, and match. Consequently, coach Hjulmand withdrew Tella in the 81st minute.
During his time on the pitch, the Super Eagles star recorded three goal attempts, 51 touches, one key pass, and two ball recoveries.
Malik Tillman wrapped up the scoring in the sixth minute of stoppage time, ensuring the game ended 6-3 in Bayer Leverkusen's favor.
Nathan Tella and Bayer Leverkusen in Late Fight For Champions League Football
Coming into this homestretch of games, Nathan Tella and his Bayer Leverkusen side needed to win most of their remaining fixtures to stand a chance of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League.
With their win over Wolfsburg, Die Werkself now sit 6th in the Bundesliga, four points behind RB Leipzig in the last Champions League qualification spot.
With six games left, they still have a good chance of making it, especially if the teams ahead of them falter.
Tella recently signed an extension at the club, and he will be looking to put in a good run of performances to ensure his side achieve their target by the end of the campaign.
