Florian Wirtz delivered a thrilling victory for reigning Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen, scoring in the 11th minute of stoppage time to clinch a 3-2 win over Borussia Mönchengladbach in Friday’s season opener.
Leverkusen seemed comfortably in control at halftime, leading 2-0 thanks to a stunning long-range strike from Granit Xhaka and a well-taken goal by Wirtz.
However, the second half saw a dramatic turn of events as Nico Elvedi pulled one back for Gladbach in the 59th minute, followed by a late equalizer from new signing Tim Kleindienst with just five minutes left on the clock.
The match, played under heavy rain at Borussia Park, experienced a delay due to flares set off by home supporters, resulting in a significant amount of stoppage time.
In the dying moments, a VAR review confirmed a foul on Amine Adli by Ko Itakura in the box, handing Wirtz the chance to secure the win from the penalty spot.
Although Wirtz’s initial attempt was saved by Gladbach goalkeeper Jonas Omlin, the young German midfielder was quick to react, slotting home the rebound to give Leverkusen all three points.
The goal, officially the latest in Bundesliga history, continued Leverkusen’s trend of scoring crucial late goals, a hallmark of their incredible run last season.
After the match, Wirtz expressed his relief and satisfaction with the decisive moment.
“I’m glad to have had the responsibility for the spot kick,” he told DAZN. “I know it was a bit lucky at the end, but I’m not complaining. We’re happy to have won.”
Despite the victory, Wirtz acknowledged that Leverkusen made things difficult for themselves.
“There’s plenty we need to keep working on, but we can be happy with the three points today,” he added.
Leverkusen, fresh from an unbeaten domestic double last season, continued their winning ways after lifting the German Supercup last weekend.
Meanwhile, Gladbach, a club that narrowly avoided relegation last season, faced a setback even before kickoff, with star midfielder Manu Koné omitted from the squad amid transfer speculation.
Xhaka, who spent four years at Gladbach before his move to Arsenal, opened the scoring with a thunderous shot reminiscent of his goal in Leverkusen’s 1-0 German Cup final win in May.
Out of respect for his former club, Xhaka refrained from celebrating his goal.
Wirtz doubled the lead in the 38th minute, scoring on the turn in a crowded penalty area.
Although Kleindienst had a goal ruled out by VAR just before halftime, he later found the back of the net to level the score in the 85th minute after Elvedi had reduced the deficit.
Ultimately, Wirtz’s last-minute rebound ensured that Leverkusen’s title defense began on a high note in what was the first Bundesliga season opener not featuring Bayern Munich since 2013.
