Bayer Leverkusen Escape Copenhagen Shock in Late Thriller
Bayer Leverkusen were just three minutes away from a shock defeat in their opening UEFA Champions League 2025/26 group stage clash against FC Copenhagen — but a dramatic finish saw them salvage a point in a wild 2–2 draw in the Danish capital.
The hosts took an early lead in front of a passionate home crowd. In the 9th minute, veteran defender Lucas Vázquez was caught out for pace by Achouri, who chased down a loose ball on the flank and delivered a low cross into the box. Larsson made no mistake from close range — 1–0 to Copenhagen.
Despite being the Bundesliga runners-up behind only Bayern Munich, Leverkusen struggled to find their rhythm for much of the match. Their play lacked urgency and sharpness, and for long stretches, they looked more like a mid-table team than Champions League contenders.
Copenhagen, meanwhile, executed their game plan to perfection — organized at the back and dangerous on the counter. The Danish side continued to create chances into the second half, and it seemed like their early strike might be enough to seal a famous win.
But then came the fireworks. In the 87th minute, Leverkusen were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area — and when you have Álex Grimaldo standing over the ball, anything can happen. The Spaniard curled a sensational shot into the top near corner, bending it over the wall with surgical precision. 1–1, and game on.
However, as the visitors surged forward in search of a winner, they were caught cold. Copenhagen launched a swift counter-attack, with Huescas delivering a pinpoint cross from the right. Robert rose unchallenged in the box to power a header past the keeper — 2–1, and the crowd erupted.
But the drama wasn’t over. Deep into stoppage time, Argentine youngster Claudio Echeverri took matters into his own hands, driving into the box and firing a low cross across the face of goal. The ball struck Hatzidiakos and deflected into the net for an own goal that stunned the home fans and rescued a point for Leverkusen.
2025-26 UEFA Champions League
Koebenhavn - Bayer 04 2:2 (1:0)
Goals: Larsson J., 9 (1:0); Grimaldo, 82 (1:1); Robert, 87 (2:1); Chatzidiakos, 91 (own goal) (2:2)
Koebenhavn: Kotarski; Huescas; Pereira G.; López M.L.; Chatzidiakos; Lerager; Delaney; Moukoko (Claesson, 69); Elyounoussi M.; Larsson J. (Zague, 79); Achouri (Robert, 79)
Substitution: Claesson (from 69); Zague (from 79); Robert (from 79)
Bench: Rúnarsson R.; Suzuki; Garananga; Meling; Clem
Yellow Cards: López M.L. 33; Chatzidiakos 44; Delaney 53
Bayer 04: Flekken; Vazquez L.; Quansah; Badé L. (Echeverri, 67); Tapsoba E.; Grimaldo; Fernández Ez. (Aleix Garcia, 51); Andrich (Kofane, 88); Ben Seghir (Poku E., 67); Tillman M. (Maza, 51); Schick
Substitution: Aleix Garcia (from 51); Maza (from 51); Echeverri (from 67); Poku E. (from 67); Kofane (from 88)
Bench: Blaswich; Lomb; Arthur Soares; Tape; Belocian
Yellow Cards: Vazquez L. 61; Tapsoba E. 89
