Leverkusen start title defense with dramatic 11th-minute stoppage-time winner

Bayer Leverkusen kicked off their title defense in stunning fashion, securing a last-gasp victory with an 11th-minute stoppage-time goal.

The dramatic finish saw Leverkusen narrowly edge out their opponents, setting an intense tone for the season ahead.

Florian Wirtz scored a dramatic winner from a penalty rebound in the 11th minute of stoppage time to seal a 2-1 victory over Borussia Monchengladbach.

Wirtz followed up to score after his penalty, awarded for a foul on Amine Adli, was saved by Jonas Omlin.

The late winner came after Leverkusen, last season’s unbeaten champions, had let a two-goal lead slip.

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Leverkusen’s win, away from home, followed their German Super Cup triumph over Stuttgart on penalties.

In the Bundesliga opener, Xabi Alonso’s side took the lead just 12 minutes in, with Granit Xhaka’s powerful strike beating Omlin. They dominated early, with Boniface and Edmond Tapsoba hitting the woodwork.

Wirtz doubled the lead by slotting home after Alejandro Grimaldo’s blocked shot.

Monchengladbach thought they had pulled one back before the break, but Tim Kleindienst’s goal was ruled out for offside by VAR.

Nico Elvedi eventually made it 2-1 in the 59th minute with a header, and Kleindienst equalized in the 85th minute with a close-range finish.

However, Wirtz’s stoppage-time heroics secured all three points for Leverkusen.