Bundesliga
Leverkusen fight back in Copenhagen
Alejandro Grimaldo was on target again as Bayer Leverkusen twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Copenhagen in their 2025/26 UEFA Champions League opener.
Copenhagen 2-2 Bayer Leverkusen
Goals: 1-0 Larsson 9' (assist: Achouri), 1-1 Grimaldo 83', 2-1 Robert 87', 2-2 Hatzidiakos (o.g.) 90'+2
Leverkusen beat Eintracht Frankfurt on new head coach Kasper Hjulmand's Bundesliga debut last weekend, but were up against it early on in the Danish capital.
Jordan Larsson broke the deadlock with a well-taken goal inside nine minutes as Copenhagen took control of proceedings, with Leverkusen's attacking efforts limited to harmless long-range attempts from Grimaldo - scorer of two superb free-kicks against Frankfurt - and Malik Tillman.
Indeed, Die Werkself were fortunate not to be further behind at the break after Mohamed Elyounoussi struck the crossbar and Mark Flekken thwarted former Borussia Dortmund striker Youssoufa Moukoko on the stroke of half-time.
Watch: Grimaldo's magic wand
Flekken was at it again after the restart, the Leverkusen stopper diving to deny Larsson a second goal of the night.
Hjulmand shuffled his pack with under an hour gone, but Copenhagen continued to carry the greater threat as Lukas Lerager tested Flekken and Elyounoussi shot wide at the end of a mazy run.
Eliesse Ben Seghir hit the woodwork in a rare moment of attacking promise for Leverkusen, though Copenhagen responded by very nearly doubling their lead through Elynounoussi, whose free-kick was brilliantly kept out by Flekken.
Dominik Kotarski took a leaf out of Flekken's book with a fine save to prevent Patrik Schick from finding the top corner. However, there was nothing he could to do to stop Grimaldo nestling in a trademark free-kick for 1-1.
Substitute Robert scored four minutes later to restore Copenhagen's lead, but Leverkusen found a way to level once more as Pantelis Hatzidiakos put Manchester City loanee Claudio Echeverri's cross through his own net in added time.
Match stats
- Leverkusen were the highest-placed German team in last season’s league phase. They progressed automatically to the round of 16 in sixth.
- Grimaldo has scored three free-kicks across his last two competitive games.
- Hjulmand won the 2011/12 Danish league title with Nordsjaelland.
- Schick scored his only Champions League goal in 27 appearances in the competition to date in last season’s league phase win over Red Bull Salzburg.
- Die Werkself beat Copenhagen home and away in the 2014/15 Champions League play-offs.
- Moukoko scored 17 goals in 76 Bundesliga appearances. He is the German top flight’s youngest ever scorer (16 years and 28 days).
Teams
Copenhagen: Kotarski – Huescas, Pereira, Hatzidiakos, López - Larsson (Zague 78'), Delaney (c) (Madsen 56'), Lerager, Achouri (Robert 78') - Moukoko (Claesson 68'), ElyounoussiUnused subs: Rúnarsson, Buur, Garananga, Suzuki, Meling, ClemOut: Cornelius (unknown), Mattsson (knee), Højer (unknown), Moalem (hip)Coach: Jacob Neestrup
Leverkusen: Flekken – Quansah, Badé (Echeverri 67'), Tapsoba – Vázquez, Fernández (García 50'), Andrich (c), Grimaldo – Ben Seghir (Poku 67'), Tillman (Maza 50') – SchickUnused subs: Blaswich, Lomb, Arthur, Tape, Kofane, BelocianOut: Hofmann (ineligible), Palacios (adductor), Sarco (ineligible), Tella (knee), Terrier (ineligible)Coach: Kasper Hjulmand
As it happened!
2 - 2(1 - 0)
Copenhagen
FINAL
Leverkusen
88'
vs
Christian Kofane
Robert Andrich
89'
vs
Edmond Tapsoba
90' +2
vs
B04 are level once more!
What an end to this game! Pantelis Hatzidiakos has just put through his own net from Echeverri's cross and drops to his knees as the pocket of Leverkusen fans roar in delight. Behind twice, on terms twice now for the Bundesliga side.
87'
vs
Hosts back in front
Heartbreak for the Werkself, who were on terms for only a short period. Copenhagen substitute Robert finishes off a tidy move by the home side and the Parken erupts with joy once more.
83'
vs
Grimaldo does it again!
What it is it about this man and free kicks! The king of the set-piece spanks a silky effort over the wall from around 25 metres out and is soon wheeling away in celebration as his effort thwacks the back of the net!
78'
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Robert
Achouri
78'
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Zague
Larsson
74'
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Flekken in top form
Back we go up the other end and this time it's Huesca who has a go at goals. Flekken is there once again.
72'
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Echeverri effort
The Leverkusen sub tries with a shot from a tight angle on the right, but Kotarski gobbles that one up.
68'
vs
Claesson
Moukoko
67'
vs
Claudio Echeverri
Loïc Badé
67'
vs
Ernest Poku
Eliesse Ben Seghir
65'
vs
Almost Schick!
Great work by Quansah, who tees up Patrik Schick and the Czech's effort to the top corner is brilliantly saved by Kotarski.
63'
vs
Lucas booked
The Leverkusen full-back sees yellow for a foul on Elyounoussi.
63'
vs
Lucas Vázquez
63'
vs
End-to-end
If they get a result here, the away side will be thankful to Mark Flekken, who makes his umpteenth stop to prevent Elynounoussi from scoring with a free kick.
62'
vs
Bayer hit the post!
Ben Seghir cuts inside from the left before sending a right-footed shot from distance that cracks off the upright. Both sides have now struck the woodwork in this game.
61'
vs
Hosts come again
This time it's Elyounoussi who races forward before driving a shot from distance narrowly wide of the upright.
58'
vs
Lerager foiled
Flekken is there once more, this time to keep out midfielder Lukas Lerager.
44'
vs
Hatzidiakos
56'
vs
Madsen
Delaney
53'
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Delaney booked
Thomas Delaney sees yellow for a foul on new man Maza. Welcome to the game, Ibrahim.
53'
vs
Delaney
50'
vs
Double swap
Coach Kasper Hjulmand tries something new with Aleix García and Ibrahim Maza coming into the mix for the away side.
50'
vs
Aleix García
Ezequiel Fernández
50'
vs
Ibrahim Maza
Malik Tillman
47'
vs
Flekken again to the fore
The Bayer keeper is there once more in this game to deny Jordan Larsson's low drive at the start of the second half.
46'
vs
Peeeep!
We're back underway in the second half.
43'
vs
Flekken to the rescue!
Mark Flekken keeps Leverkusen in the game as half-time approaches with an excellent reaction save to deny Moukoko.
41'
vs
Hosts hit woodwork!
Copenhagen counter and Elyounoussi's cross from the right fizzes towards goal, loops over Flekken and lands on top of the crossbar and bounces out. That was a close call for Bayer 04.
36'
vs
Tillman off target
The USMNT international takes possession following a corner and shoots from the edge of the penalty area. His effort bounces harmlessly wide.
33'
vs
Lopez
32'
vs
Lopez in danger
The Copenhagen man challenges Tapsoba and the referee reaches for a card. It's yellow this time.
28'
vs
Badé to the rescue
Copenhagen counter swiftly and just when it appears they might be in for a real chance, Loïc Badé gets in to block Rodrigo Huescas's pass .
20'
vs
Grimaldo has a go
The Spanish full-back tries one of his trademark finishes from a set-piece just outside the area but this time the Spaniard's effort from the dead ball goes over the crossbar.
16'
vs
Bayer 04 resettling
Kasper Hjulmand's side have regained their composure now but chances have not yet been forthcoming for them. Perhaps a change in shape is called for here?
12'
vs
Lions prowling
The opening goal has raised Copenhagen spirits considerably and the Lions are snapping at Leverkusen and hurrying their opponents into errors.
9'
vs
Copenhagen hit the front
A super finish from Jordan Larsson - assisted by Elias Achouri - has put Copenhagen in front to the delight of the home supporters here. Leverkusen need to keep their heads after that, the Werkself had been playing well.
5'
vs
Home side growing in confidence
The hosts come more into it now with Gabriel Pereira firing a long-range shot from the right that just misses the target.
3'
vs
Visitors start strongly
It's been a solid opening from the 2024 Bundesliga champions, who are passing the ball around confidently at the moment.
1'
vs
Away we go!
The ball is rolling at the Parken Stadium and Bayer Leverkusen's UEFA Champions League tilt for 2025/26 is underway!
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Parken buzzing
The 38,000 capacity Parken Stadium will be full to capacity this evening and the ground is already filling quickly as the atmosphere builds ahead of kick-off. There's not long to go now!
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Bundesliga omen?
Leverkusen's Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich managed to become the only side to win in the Danish capital in Group A in Copenhagen's most recent outing in the UEFA Champions League back in 2023/24.
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Copenhagen starting XI
Kotarski – Huescas, Pereira, Hatzidiakos, López - Larsson, Delaney (c), Lerager, Achouri - Moukoko, Elyounoussi
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Copenhagen subs
Rúnarsson, Buur, Garananga, Claesson, Robert, Suzuki, Madsen, Zague, Meling, Clem
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Bayer 04 starting XI
Flekken – Quansah, Badé, Tapsoba – Vázquez, Fernández, Andrich (c), Grimaldo – Ben Seghir, Tillman – Schick