Debutants Elversberg stun Leverkusen with historic win

SV Elversberg are in dreamland after their deserved win over Bayer Leverkusen in their first-ever Bundesliga game. Die Elv started the game with aplomb before scoring a minute into the second-half.

David Mokwa had the first chance of the game before Mark Flekken made his first save of the game from Cole Campbell’s effort. Their captain Lukas Petkov, who missed last week’s Pokal tie due to suspension, scored the club’s first Bundesliga goal in the eighth minute.

Leverkusen loanee Francis Onyeka scored a brace to help them to a 3-1 win over 3. Liga side Duisburg, and he assisted the opening Bundesliga goal against his parent club. The Germany U19 captain dispossessed Leverkusen’s new captain Edmond Tapsoba before Petkov’s deflected effort put Bundesliga’s 59th club on the scoresheet for the first time.

While the TV production is showing the replay of the historic goal, Elversberg added their second. US attacker Campbell doubled their advantage with a powerful shot after Tapsoba’s second mistake in a matter of seconds. The 20-year-old joined the newly-promoted club after Hoffenheim decided against turning his loan from Dortmund to a permanent transfer.

Campbell had another chance in a dream first-half for Elversberg as Leverkusen, who relieved Erik ten Hag after two games last season, endured yet another poor start to the season. Flekken could’ve done better for the second goal, but he did well to keep the score with decent saves from Onyeka and Felix Keidel.

Aleix Garcia scored from a direct free-kick the last time the teams met in DFB-Pokal, and he nearly did the same again, but his deflected effort ricocheted off the crossbar. Afonso Moreira, who became the first Portuguese player in Leverkusen’s history, missed a sitter from the rebound.

Die Elv regained their momentum early after the restart as Mokwa, who scored the goal that confirmed the club’s promotion at the end of last season, scored his first Bundesliga goal with a brilliant finish from Petkov’s cutback.

Patrik Schick scored his 92nd Bundesliga goal to revive Leverkusen’s chance as he deflected  Ibrahim Maza’s shot in the right direction. The Czechia international played alongside Christian Kofane since the 55th minute, and the Cameroonian striker further reduced the deficit with a decent finish in the first minute of injury-time.

Victor Boniface was also added to their attacking ranks as Leverkusen threw everything in a late attempt to secure a point. However, Vincent Wagner’s side managed to hold on for a memorable start to life in Bundesliga.