Bayer Leverkusen kicked off their Champions League campaign in thrilling fashion in Copenhagen, as late drama saw the game end all square.
2025/2026 UEFA Champions League
2-2
Match Report
Bayer Leverkusen kicked off their Champions League campaign in thrilling fashion in Copenhagen, as late drama saw the game end all square.
A dramatic last-gasp own goal salvaged a point for Bayer Leverkusen in a thrilling 2-2 Champions League draw with FC Copenhagen.
Copenhagen's players had their heads in their hands as Pantelis Hatzidiakos turned a cross into his own net in stoppage time to hand Leverkusen a share of the spoils.
An early Jordan Larsson goal had given the hosts an unexpected advantage, with Youssoufa Moukoko going close to a second before Mohamed Elyounoussi's looping cross crashed against the top of the crossbar.
Goalkeepers Dominik Kotarski and Mark Flekken both produced outstanding saves, but a sensational Alex Grimaldo free-kick restored parity in the 82nd minute.
Grimaldo has now scored the outright most direct free-kick goals by a Spaniard in Champions League history, moving ahead of his former coach Xabi Alonso (three).
However, just four minutes later, Robert Silva got on the end of Rodrigo Huescas' centre to head home and restore Copenhagen's lead.
Yet a despairing Hatzidiakos got a decisive touch to Patrik Schick's low cross in stoppage time, seeing Leverkusen level it at the death.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
9' GOAL! Copenhagen 1-0 Leverkusen (Jordan Larsson)
39' Match Event for Copenhagen vs Leverkusen
43' Highlight from Copenhagen vs Leverkusen
66' Match Event for Copenhagen vs Leverkusen
73' Match Event for Copenhagen vs Leverkusen
82' GOAL! Copenhagen 1-1 Leverkusen (Alejandro Grimaldo)
86' GOAL! Copenhagen 2-1 Leverkusen (Robert)
91' OWN GOAL! Copenhagen 2-2 Leverkusen (Pantelis Hatzidiakos)
Line-ups
Copenhagen XI: Delaney, Mohamed Elyounoussi, Lerager, Pantelis Hatzidiakos, Jordan Larsson, Kotarski, Marcos López, Youssoufa Moukoko, Gabriel Pereira, Rodrigo Huescas, Elias Achouri
Subs: V. Claesson, Runarsson, Birger Meling, Mads Emil Madsen, William Clem, Munashe Garananga, Junnosuke Suzuki, Zague, Oscar Buur, Robert
Leverkusen XI: Vazquez, Grimaldo, Mark Flekken, Andrich, Schick, Tapsoba, Loïc Badé, Malik Tillman, Equi Fernández, Quansah, Eliesse Ben Seghir
Subs: Janis Blaswich, Lomb, A.García, Ernest Poku, Belocian, Arthur, Echeverri, Ibrahim Maza, Axel Tape, Christian Kofane