Super-Sub Boniface saves the day with late winner in Leverkusen’s seven-goal thriller
Boniface
Published By: Kazeem Ugbodaga
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
Nigerian striker Victor Boniface delivered a match-winning performance, scoring a late goal to hand Bayer Leverkusen a thrilling 4-3 victory over Wolfsburg on Sunday.
The pulsating Bundesliga encounter saw Leverkusen come from behind twice, with Boniface’s decisive strike in stoppage time capping off a memorable comeback.
Wolfsburg took an early lead in the 5th minute through an own goal by Leverkusen’s Nordi Mukiele.
Despite the setback, Florian Wirtz equalized for the home side in the 14th minute with a well-taken shot from outside the box.
Leverkusen then gained the upper hand in the 32nd minute when Jonathan Tah headed in a corner to make it 2-1. However, Wolfsburg quickly responded, with Sebastiaan Bornauw scoring from a corner in the 37th minute to level the score at 2-2.
Just before halftime, Mattias Svanberg put Wolfsburg back in the lead with a stunning strike from outside the box, making it 3-2 in favour of the visitors.
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Leverkusen came out strong in the second half and equalized again in the 49th minute through Piero Hincapie’s powerful header from a corner, setting up a tense finale.
Boniface, who came on as a substitute in the 68th minute, made an immediate impact. His first attempt at goal was brilliantly saved by Wolfsburg goalkeeper Kamil Grabara in the 77th minute, but Boniface wouldn’t be denied.
In the 93rd minute, the Nigerian pounced on a loose ball inside the box, firing a low shot into the bottom corner to make it 4-3 and sealed the victory for Leverkusen.
Wolfsburg’s Yannick Gerhardt was shown a red card in the 88th minute, leaving his team with 10 men as they struggled to hold off Leverkusen’s relentless attacks.
Boniface had another chance to extend the lead in the 97th minute, but his shot narrowly missed the target.
With the win, Leverkusen continued their strong form in the Bundesliga, with Boniface once again proving his worth as a game-changing substitute.
