Bayer Leverkusen emerged victorious in their UEFA Europa League quarter-final clash against West Ham United with a 2-0 win at BayArena. The breakthrough came late in the game, with substitutes Jonas Hofmann and Victor Boniface scoring in the final seven minutes to secure the win for Leverkusen. Despite West Ham creating some chances early on, Leverkusen dominated possession and registered 33 shots on goal compared to their opponent’s one. Leverkusen’s unbeaten run this season extended to 42 matches across all competitions, showing their strength and determination.
Lukasz Fabianski was a standout player for West Ham despite being on the losing side. The veteran goalkeeper made several key saves to keep Leverkusen at bay, including a brilliant reflex save to deny Patrik Schick’s header in the 70th minute. Fabianski’s efforts prevented the scoreline from being more one-sided and showcased his importance to the West Ham team. Leverkusen’s player ratings were generally high, with key contributions from Grimaldo, Xhaka, and Schick. Meanwhile, West Ham’s Antonio and Soucek also put in strong performances.
The match highlights included a missed opportunity for West Ham in the 10th minute when Kudus’s shot was easily saved by Leverkusen’s Kovar. Leverkusen continued to press forward, with Fabianski making crucial saves to deny Grimaldo, Schick, and Tapsoba. The breakthrough finally came in the 83rd minute when Hofmann’s volley found its way through a crowded penalty area to beat Fabianski. In stoppage time, Boniface sealed the win for Leverkusen with a glancing header from Hofmann’s cross.
The late goals from Leverkusen once again highlighted their ability to snatch victory in crucial moments. With Xabi Alonso’s tactical substitutions proving effective, Leverkusen maintained their unbeaten run and put themselves in a strong position heading into the second leg at the London Stadium. Leverkusen’s dominance in possession and shot count demonstrated their control of the game, while Fabianski’s performance for West Ham was commendable despite the loss. The Bundesliga title could be within reach for Leverkusen as they continue their impressive run.
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