Florian Wirtz scored in the 11th minute of stoppage time to seal a thrilling 3-2 victory for reigning champions Bayer Leverkusen against Borussia Mönchengladbach in Friday’s Bundesliga season opener.
Leverkusen appeared to be cruising at halftime, with a stunning strike from Granit Xhaka and a goal from Wirtz giving Xabi Alonso’s side a comfortable two-goal lead. However, the match turned dramatic in the second half as Nico Elvedi pulled one back for the hosts in the 59th minute.
Newcomer Tim Kleindienst then equalized five minutes from time, setting the stage for a tense finale at Borussia Park, where heavy rain added to the atmosphere.
A lengthy stoppage in the second half, caused by home fans setting off flares, extended the match into an extraordinary period of added time.
In the dying moments, Ko Itakura fouled Amine Adli in the box, leading to a penalty for Leverkusen. Though Wirtz’s initial spot-kick was saved by Gladbach goalkeeper Jonas Omlin, the young German midfielder reacted quickly to hammer in the rebound, securing a vital three points for his team.
The goal, officially the latest in Bundesliga history, continues Leverkusen’s reputation for dramatic last-minute victories, a hallmark of their title-winning campaign last season.
Speaking to DAZN after the match, Wirtz expressed relief and satisfaction with the win, despite acknowledging the team’s struggles. ”
I’m glad I was given the responsibility for the penalty. I wanted to decide the game,” Wirtz said. “We made it hard for ourselves, but we’re happy to have secured the three points.”
Leverkusen, who completed a league and cup double last season and recently added the German Supercup to their trophy cabinet, demonstrated their resilience once again.
Meanwhile, Mönchengladbach, who narrowly avoided relegation last season, faced a tough start, compounded by the absence of star midfielder Manu Kone, who was left out due to a pending transfer.
Xhaka, who spent four years at Gladbach before moving to Arsenal, scored a spectacular long-range goal in the 13th minute, reminiscent of his strike in Leverkusen’s German Cup final victory in May.
Out of respect for his former club, Xhaka refrained from celebrating the goal. Wirtz doubled Leverkusen’s lead in the 38th minute with a well-placed finish in a crowded penalty area, putting the visitors in control.
Gladbach fought back after the break, with Elvedi heading in a rebound to make amends for his earlier mistake, and Kleindienst capitalized on a defensive lapse to level the score.
But Wirtz’s last-second heroics ensured that Leverkusen began their title defense on a winning note.
Friday’s match marked the first Bundesliga season opener in over a decade without Bayern Munich, with Leverkusen stepping into the spotlight as defending champions.
