Bayer Leverkusen were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw at FC Copenhagen in their Champions League Group Stage opener, rescued by a stoppage-time own goal. The German side were missing Nigerian winger Nathan Tella due to injury, and his absence was felt as Copenhagen threatened to claim a famous victory.
How the Match Unfolded
- Copenhagen struck early: Jordan Larsson headed them ahead in the 9th minute, courtesy of a cross from Elias Achouri.
- Leverkusen struggled to break through in the first half. Copenhagen dominated possession, created chances, and Leverkusen’s keeper Mark Flekken made several important saves.
- The game remained 1-0 at halftime. Midway through the second half, Leverkusen gradually pushed forward, but Copenhagen remained dangerous on the counter.
- In the 82nd minute, Álex Grimaldo curled in a stunning free kick over the wall, dipping into the top corner to level for Leverkusen.
- Copenhagen quickly responded. Five minutes later, Robert restored their lead with a precise low-header from a cross.
But Leverkusen refused to accept defeat. In stoppage time, Claudio Echeverri’s cross deflected off Pantelis Hatzidiakos for an own goal, giving them the equaliser.
The Decisive Moment
The decisive moment came deep in stoppage time: a cross by Claudio Echeverri found its way into the box, and Pantelis Hatzidiakos unfortunately turned it into his own net. Just when Copenhagen believed victory was theirs, Leverkusen’s persistence paid off. With Tella missing, Leverkusen had fewer attacking options, and that late own goal arguably felt like both redemption and relief.
What This Means for Both Teams
Leverkusen: They’ll feel they should have won given their possession and second-half pressure, particularly with Tella unavailable. Salvaging a point in such circumstances shows character, but they’ll need to convert dominance into wins if they want to advance. Grimaldo’s free-kick prowess again proved crucial.
Copenhagen: A strong performance overall. They began confidently, created plenty of chances, and were close to holding on. But defensive lapses at key moments (including the own goal) cost them. Still, they’ll take confidence from their display going into their next fixtures.
Reaction and What’s Next
Leverkusen coach Kasper Hjulmand praised Grimaldo’s brilliance, especially his free-kick that turned the tide. He also expressed relief at getting something from the game given Leverkusen’s injury issues (including Tella) and Copenhagen’s showing. Copenhagen will aim to build momentum, especially if they can tighten defensively in future matches.
The Big Picture
Leverkusen may not have played their best, but the ability to snatch a draw in adverse conditions could be a sign of resilience. For Copenhagen, they were so close to victory at home, and letting such a lead slip could have implications if similar scenarios recur.
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