Bayer Leverkusen produced a dramatic turnaround to book their place in the DFB-Pokal semi-finals, as they came from behind to deny Koln 3-2. (More Football News)
Xabi Alonso's side recovered from 2-0 down with Patrik Schick's last-gasp equaliser forcing eꦺxtra-time, where Victor Boniface decided the tie at BayArena.
Despite seeing A📖lejandro Grimaldo's free-kick rattle the crossbar, DဣFB-Pokal holders Leverkusen fell behind in first-half stoppage time through Damion Downs.
The 2. Bundesliga leaders were seeking their first semi-final appea﷽rance in 23 years, and doubled their advantage within nine minutes of the restart as Linton Maina rounded off a swift counter.
Schick halved the deficit just after the hour mark then, six minutes into stoppage time, nodded home Jeremie Frimpong's dee🎉p cross to send the ti🀅e into extra-time.
With all the momentum, the hosts completed the tur𓃲naround in the 98th minute and, ultimately, snatched victory in the tie, as Boniface volleyed in from Grimaldo's delivery.
Data Debrief: Alonso matches Van Gaal and Guardiola
Alonso became only the third manager of this millennium to win each of his first 10 matches in the DFB-Pokal, after Louis van Gaa🌸l and Pep Guardiola.
The Spaniard has also overseen 10 successive home victories for Leverkusen across🍸𓃲 all competitions.
With his brace, Schick took his goal tally for the season to 20 in a🐻ll competitions.
The Czechia international is only the fourth Leverkusen player to s🌸core at least 20 times in multiple campa⭕igns after Ulf Kirsten, Stefan Kiessling and Dimitar Berbatov.
