Leverkusen overcome Qarabag scare with late comeback win

Bayer Leverkusen produced a thrilling comeback to defeat Qarabag 3-2, at the BayArena and secure their place in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

Xabi Alonso’s side trailed 2-0 on aggregate after an hour, following goals from Abdellah Zoubir and Juninho, but a red card for Elvin Cafarguliyev and a stoppage-time double from Patrik Schick, sent the Bundesliga leaders through.

Jeremie Frimpong started the fightback with 18 minutes remaining before Schick levelled the scores on the night with a close-range finish. The Czech international then popped up again deep into stoppage time to head home the winner, sending the home crowd into raptures.

Leverkusen had dominated the first half but were unable to find a breakthrough. The second half was a different story, with Qarabag taking the lead before Cafarguliyev’s dismissal for a professional foul turned the tide.

Schick’s late heroics ensured Leverkusen maintained their unbeaten run in all competitions and booked their place in the last eight of the Europa League.

Paul

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