Bundesliga
Patrik Schick scored a stoppage-time equaliser and Victor Boniface an extra-time winner as DFB Cup holders Bayer Leverkusen hit back from 2-0 down to beat Cologne in an absorbing quarter-final tie at the BayArena.
Bayer Leverkusen 2-2 Cologne (Leverkusen win 3-2 AET)
Goals: 0-1 Downs 45'+10 (assist: Ljubičić), 0-2 Maina 53' (assist: Downs), 1-2 Schick 61' (assist: Wirtz), 2-2 Schick 90'+6 (assist: Frimpong), 3-2 Boniface 98' (assist: Grimaldo)
Unbeaten domestic double winners in 2023/24 but currently second to Bayern Munich in this season's Bundesliga, Leverkusen survived an early scare when Cologne's Damion Downs flashed a shot wide with 15 minutes gone. That sparked a wave of Leverkusen pressure which lasted deep into first-half added time, albeit without bearing fruit. Bayer top scorer Schick put a cross from Grimaldo wide, before the roaming Spaniard rattled the crossbar with a trademark free-kick. Grimaldo then shot wide after good work on the opposite flank by the equally energetic Jeremie Frimpong. Having been hemmed in their own half for long periods, Bundesliga 2 leaders Cologne made the most of a rare counter-attack on the stroke of half-time. Dejan Ljubičić collected a stray clearance and found Downs in the area, the German-American forward smashing past Matěj Kovář for a surprise opener.
Cologne were on the back-foot once again after the restart as Schick fired wide. Marvin Schwäbe then got down well to repel a shot from Frimpong, with ex-Cologne youngster Florian Wirtz putting the follow-up wide from 18 yards. The Billy Goats' response was not to hide. Instead, they launched another lightning counter, which culminated in Downs feeding Linton Maina for a confident strike into the bottom corner. Shaken but not stirred, Leverkusen halved the deficit courtesy of a classy run from Wirtz and nonchalant Schick finish through the legs of Schwäbe. Leverkusen monopolised possession in their search for an equaliser, but were almost caught cold from a corner that Timo Hübers headed straight at Kovář. Schwäbe denied Nathan Tella and Jonathan Tah, before Schick headed home at the death to force extra-time. The tide turned, substitute Boniface completed the comeback with a close-range finish to send the holders into the last four - but only after Imad Rondic had a 112th-minute equaliser ruled out for offside upon VAR review.
Teams
Leverkusen: Kovář - Mukiele (García 86'), Tah (c), Tapsoba (Hincapié 46') - Frimpong, Xhaka, Palacios (Boniface 76'), Grimaldo (Hermoso 101') - Buendía (Tella 60'), Wirtz - Schick
Unused subs: Hrádecký, Hofmann, Andrich, Arthur
Out: Belocian (knee), Terrier (Achilles)
Coach: Xabi Alonso
Cologne: Schwäbe - Schmied, Hübers (c), Heintz - Thielmann (Gazibegovic 93'), Martel, Huseinbašić (Olesen 72'), Finkgräfe (Paqarada 72') - Ljubicic - Maina (Rondic 80'), Downs (Tigges 65')
Unused subs: Racioppi, Waldschmidt, Obuz, Telle
Out: Christensen (knee), Kilian (knee), Lemperle (hamstring), Pauli (concussion), Uth (calf)
Coach: Gerhard Struber
As it happened!
We're approaching extra time in extra time.
That disallowed goal has given Cologne belief that they can breach the Leverkusen backline again and now they're getting forward with greater purpose.
Substitute Rondic has the ball in the net for an unexpected equaliser but after a VAR check it's disallowed.
The wing-back surges into the box and gets a shot away but with tired legs he can't generate the necessary power to beat Schwäbe.
That is, assuming Leverkusen are able to see this to the line. Cologne have already scored twice against the run of play today though, so don't rule anything out.
Leverkusen are playing the ball around among themselves, keeping possession in midfield. Cologne look exhausted and can no longer press them with any great intensity.
Grimaldo is taken off with an injury so on comes January signing Hermoso for his DFB Cup debut.
Grimaldo delivers an inch-perfect cross from the left towards the near post, where Boniface is arriving to side-foot home from close range!
Schick's last-gasp effort was nothing new for Leverkusen, who made a habit of scoring late on last season.
Cologne get extra time under way.
It's 2-2 after 90 minutes. Who will hold their nerve in extra time?
With the final whistle just seconds away, Leverkusen get their goal! A cross from the right is floated deep into the box and Schick rises highest to head home from the edge of the six-yard box.
... but it's headed out by a defender for another corner, which is cleared.
Leverkusen have eight minutes left to find a goal...
A corner is met by Hübers but his header is straight at Kovář, who makes a save. They could have finished the game off there!
Leverkusen have started playing long balls into the Cologne box. One of these crosses falls for Schick, who lashes an effort at goal on the turn but he can't keep it down.
Boniface joins Schick in attack as the hosts continue their search for an equaliser.
Bracing for the need to dig in and hold on for the next 20 minutes or so, Cologne make two changes. Finkgräfe, who limped off moments earlier, is replaced by Paqarada, while Olesen takes Huseinbašić's spot in midfield.
Downs has been the spikiest of thorns in Leverkusen's side today with a goal and an assist. His pace has caused them problems but he now makes way for Tigges, who offers a more robust presence, able to hold the ball up.
Extraordinary skill from Wirtz to control a long ball forward down the left and then jink past Thielmann as if he wasn't there. He bides his time and then plays a perfectly weighted pass through to Schick, who finishes through Schwäbe's legs and into the far corner from close range.
Leverkusen obviously need to score, so Alonso opts for the pace of Tella over the guile of Buendía.
A Leverkusen attack breaks down and the Cologne defence put a long ball forward for a breather. Downs does superbly with his first touch to bring the ball down and cut inside Tah in one movement before releasing Maina into space down the right. He drives forward, cuts inside Mukiele and buries the ball past Kovář. A massive upset is on the cards!
Frimpong scurries into the box down the right, checks his run, cuts on to his left foot and shoots. Schwäbe makes a fine save but the rebound falls to Wirtz, arriving on the edge of the box. His first-time effort spins just wide of the post though.
The forward rolls his marker to create some space for himself inside the box but Heintz recovers well to block his shot for a corner.
The ball is rolling again at the BayArena. No changes from Cologne but Leverkusen make one substitution at the back as Hincapié comes on for Tapsoba.
On the stroke of half-time and against the run of play, the Billy Goats take the lead. Leverkusen are too casual in defending a long ball forward and it comes to Downs, who rides two tackles before rifling a low shot in at the near post! Completely out of the blue!
Leverkusen trying to find a way through, Cologne closing the gaps.
There's plenty of time left in this half due to the stoppage shortly after kick-off.
Maina wins possession in midfield and the away side try to get forward. For a moment it looks like Downs could be played through on goal but his run isn't seen and the opportunity fizzles out.
Xabi Alonso's side are really piling on the pressure now and have been camped inside the Cologne half for several minutes. The visitors are defending deep and in numbers - but you still get the sense a Leverkusen goal is coming.
Cologne just can't deal with Frimpong's pace and direct running. He gets behind the defence for the third or fourth time this game, collecting a pass from Wirtz this time before cutting back into the centre for Grimaldo, who prods a shot just wide of the post with his weaker right foot.