Published 07:11 IST, August 24th 2024
Granit Xhaka's Screamer Shines in Bayer Leverkusen 3-2 Win Bundesliga Opener vs Monchengladbach
Granit Xhaka scores a stunning goal as Bayer Leverkusen claim a thrilling 3-2 victory over Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga season opener.
As the Bundesliga 2024/25 season got started, Bayer Leverkusen won an exciting 3-2 against Borussia Mönchengladbach. Opening the score in the 12th minute with a magnificent goal was Granit Xhaka. With a 38th minute precise finish, Florian Wirtz increased the advantage. For Mönchengladbach, Nico Elvedi and Tim Kleindienst scored respectively in the 59th and 85th minutes. But Wirtz hit once again with a stunning goal in the 90+11th minute, guaranteeing Bayer Leverkusen all three points in an engaging clash.
Granit Xhaka scores a BANGER in the Bundesliga 2024/25 season opener
The late goals just keep coming for Bayer Leverkusen.
The defending Bundesliga champion needed a goal in the 11th minute of injury time to beat Borussia Monchengladbach 3-2 Friday after giving up a two-goal lead in the opening game of the German league season.
Xabi Alonso’s team went undefeated in both the league and the German Cup last season, in part thanks to a number of late goals and comebacks, and it continued in the same vein at the Borussia-Park. Florian Wirtz saw his last-gasp penalty saved, but converted the rebound to secure the win.
Granit Xhaka had given the visitors the lead with a thunderous 25-yard strike in the 12th minute and Wirtz made it 2-0 in the 38th after Borussia failed to clear their lines. Xhaka’s goal broke the internet and showed the football season has started with a bang.
Leverkusen then hit the woodwork twice, while Borussia had a goal chalked off after a video review just before halftime.
But Nico Elvedi started the hosts’ comeback after 59 minutes and new signing Tim Kleindienst leveled it up in the 85th.
As so often with Leverkusen, there was still time for a final twist.
The visitors were awarded a penalty for a foul in the area deep into stoppage time, and while goalkeeper Jonas Omlin saved Wirtz’s spot kick he couldn’t prevent last season’s Bundesliga player of the year from slotting in the rebound as Leverkusen took its unbeaten run in the league to 35 games.
Play had been briefly halted at the start of the second half after fans lit multiple flares in the stands and part of the field was covered in smoke.
(With AP Inputs)
Updated 07:11 IST, August 24th 2024