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Newly-promoted side Kiel came from behind to clinch a point against Bundesliga Champions Bayer Leverkusen.
Victor Boniface and Jonas Hoffman helped Bayer Leverkusen race into a 2-0 lead inside the first ten minutes, but a resilient Kiel side fought back to draw 2-2 and earn a draw against Xabi Alonso's side.
The Nigerian striker scored on both sides of Hoffman's goal, but VAR ruled out his second which would have effectively been the winning goal in the tightly contested affair.
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23:17 - 02.10.2024
'He has to improve that' — Alonso tells Boniface what he must do to become like Drogba
Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso told Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface the areas to improve.
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12:40 - 02.10.2024
'That one concern your village people' - Boniface hits back at fans who called him a liar
Bayer Leverkusen star Victor Boniface has hit back at fans who called him a lair after he revealed some of his experience.
key match actions
Leverkusen exploded out of the blocks, scoring twice in the first ten minutes. Victor Boniface sparked the onslaught, collecting Exequiel Palacios' clever pass before unleashing a low shot past the keeper. Palacios then turned provider again, picking out Jonas Hofmann with a pinpoint pass, allowing him to double the advantage.
Boniface continued to terrorise the opposition’s defence and thought he'd made it 3-0 with a sublime finish, only for VAR to intervene, correctly ruling him offside.
Just as Leverkusen seemed poised to run away with the match, Kiel stunned the hosts with a stoppage-time goal. Lewis Holtby's cross found Max Geschwill, who headed home to halve the deficit.
Jonathan Tah's long-range effort sailed over, as Leverkusen pressed to restore their two-goal margin, while Kiel relied on swift counterattacks. They came close to an equaliser when Pichler's pace got him in clear sight on goal, only for Edmond Tapsoba's timely intervention to deny him. In a dramatic turn, Kiel earned a penalty kick after Jeremie Frimpong fouled Armin Gigovic. Jann-Fiete Arp stepped up, firing into the far corner to level the match.
The visitors nearly seized the lead, with Timo Becker's cross finding Pichler, whose header forced Lukas Hradecky into a spectacular save.
As the match entered its final stages, Kiel dug deep, aware of Leverkusen's penchant for late heroics. The newly-promoted side held firm for a hard-fought, potentially crucial point.
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