Bayer Leverkusen salvaged a dramatic point in Copenhagen after a stoppage-time own goal sealed a 2-2 draw in their Champions League clash on Wednesday night.
Pantelis Hatzidiakos was the unfortunate figure in the decisive moment, turning Patrik Schick’s low cross into his own net just as Copenhagen were on the brink of a famous victory. The Danish side, who had led twice, were left crestfallen at the final whistle as their long wait for a statement European result continued.
The hosts began brightly, with Jordan Larsson pouncing early to put Copenhagen in front. Mohamed Elyounoussi nearly doubled the advantage soon after, his looping cross clipping the top of the bar. Leverkusen goalkeeper Mark Flekken and his counterpart Dominik Kotarski were both called into action with superb saves as the game opened up.
The Bundesliga champions eventually found a way through in the 82nd minute when Alex Grimaldo curled home a sumptuous free-kick. It was the Spaniard’s fourth direct free-kick goal in the competition, taking him past his former coach Xabi Alonso as the leading Spaniard in that category.
But the parity was short-lived. Four minutes later, Rodrigo Huescas, celebrating his 22nd birthday, floated in a precise cross for Robert Silva to head Copenhagen back into the lead. Huescas, on his Champions League debut, became just the second player to provide an assist on his birthday in the competition, matching a feat first achieved by Lewis Holtby for Schalke in 2012.
It seemed enough to hand Copenhagen only their second win in 15 European matches against German opposition. But deep into stoppage time, Hatzidiakos’ attempted clearance spun agonisingly past Kotarski to gift Leverkusen an equaliser.
The draw extends Copenhagen’s poor record in the Champions League, with just two victories in their last 13 outings. For new Leverkusen coach Kasper Hjulmand, it marked a seventh straight game in the competition without a win.
