From grim to Grimaldo - Leverkusen snatch late 2–2 draw against Newcastle

Bayer Leverkusen and Newcastle United played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in a Champions League clash full of momentum swings and late drama!

Leverkusen led at the break after a strong counterattacking first half, but Newcastle turned the match around with an energetic second-half surge. In the end, Alejandro Grimaldo rescued a point for the Werkself with an 88th-minute equaliser, capping off a fast-paced, end-to-end encounter.

Here is our match report for this entertaining Champions League match:

First half:

With Arthur and Grimaldo returning from short injury breaks, Bayer Leverkusen began cautiously. Newcastle controlled the opening minutes with dominant possession and aggressive high pressing, while Leverkusen focused on absorbing pressure and countering quickly. Grimaldo, in his typical advanced role, became central to these transitions.

After around ten minutes, Leverkusen grew more dangerous on the break. Their improvement was rewarded in the 13th minute: following a corner, Andrich’s header rebounded off Newcastle's Bruno Guimarães and into the net for the 1:0 lead. After the recent win against Manchester City, Leverkusen continued to trouble Premier League opposition.

By the 20-minute mark, the match resembled a tight chess battle, with Leverkusen taking the initiative. A foul by Malick Thiaw on Schick initially resulted in a penalty, but the referee corrected it to a free kick just outside the box, which Grimaldo sent over the bar. The talented Maza soon added another good chance.

Around the 35th minute, Newcastle enjoyed their best spell of the first half. García nearly turned the ball into his own net, and the visitors pressed harder as Leverkusen briefly sat deeper. Still, the Werkself were threatening on counters: Poku had a strong chance in the 44th minute, and in stoppage time Quansah broke through, only to be denied by a sharp Ramsdale save.

Leverkusen entered the break 1:0 ahead - efficient, dangerous in transition, and defensively solid when tested.

Second half:

The second half started with a blow for the German team: Mark Flekken, known for his risky ball playing abilities, was pressured by Nick Woltemade and foolishly brought the striker down, resulting in Newcastle being awarded a penalty.

Anthony Gordon stepped up for the guests and converted the penalty calmly into the bottom left corner - 1-1 after 51 minutes.

The second half prooved to include more fluid and quick attacks from both teams, making it a more entertaining game for all fans.

Newcastle were the team with momentum on their side: after 60 minutes, it was Gordon again who started a solo run which ended in him hitting the post - Bayer were in luck. Shortly after, Woltemade had a good chance to help his team take the lead in this match, but Flekken saved his shot from about seven metres out.

Leverkusen responded with a nice counter attack in the 69th minute, when Tonali slipped after a corner for the guests and Poku sprinted towards Ramsdale - but the Dutch winger made the wrong call and blasted the ball over the bar instead of setting up one of his teammates in the box.

Then Newcastle turned the game on it's head: the English side continued to be the better team in the second half and awarded themselves in the 75th minute, when Lewis Miley jumped highest and scored a header - 2-1 to Newcastle now.

As football goes, Bayer then became the side to put more pressure on - at least until the 80th minute. Bruno Guimarães hit the woodwork for the second time in this match.

In the last ten minutes of this match, both teams were playing quick and direct football, which resulted in many chances on each side. A dream for the neutral fan!

In the end, one man once again made sure to be included in a lot of headlines: Leverkusen's Alejandro Grimaldo. Bayer kept pressuring Newcastle and a neat combination resulted in the Spaniard scoring the equaliser - 2-2 after 88 minutes!

Newcastle responded almost immediately with a nice volley from the German Malick Thiaw - but his shot went over the goal.

Final result: Bayer Leverkusen 2-2 Newcastle United.