UCL: Copenhagen vs Leverkusen Ends in 2-2 Draw
Bayer Leverkusen came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw against FC Copenhagen in the UEFA Champions League, with a stoppage-time own goal securing a point.
Bayer Leverkusen, on the other hand, knows they got off the hook, earning a crucial point to start their League...
FC Copenhagen and Bayer Leverkusen played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in their UEFA Champions League opener. Jordan Larsson scored an early goal for the hosts, capitalizing on Elias Achouri's cutback from the byline to shoot past Mark Flekken and give FC Copenhagen an early 1-0 lead.
Bayer Leverkusen staged a remarkable comeback with Alejandro Grimaldo scoring a stunning free-kick in the 82nd minute to level the score at 2-2 after Robert Silva had given FC Copenhagen the lead again.
Copenhagen's impressive performance led to a welcome feeling for the home fans, who witnessed their team score more than their average of just 34 goals in 40 UCL games prior to this match. The visitors pushed for a response, with Alejandro Grimaldo's 25-yard free-kick narrowly clearing the crossbar.
Bayer Leverkusen had a rocky start to the season, with former manager Erik ten Hag being sacked after just three games. The team nearly fell behind just before halftime when Lukas Lerager's mishandled pass allowed Youssoufa Moukoko to get a shot off at point-blank range, but Flekken's shoulder blocked the attempt, keeping the score level.
New Leverkusen boss Kasper Hjulmand returned to his homeland for his first UEFA Champions League main draw game since the 2012/13 season. Unfortunately, the Dane wouldn't have been impressed with what he saw in the second half, which lacked quality and intensity.
The visitors, Bayer Leverkusen, failed to come out strong after halftime, contrary to expectations. Ben Seghir had a promising moment when his effort from the edge of the area hit the right post just after the hour mark. However, the team struggled to create scoring opportunities, leaving Hjulmand to ponder over his team's attacking strategy.
FC Copenhagen thought they had secured a routine home win, but the final 10 minutes turned out to be nail-biting. Alejandro Grimaldo's stunning 25-yard free-kick flew into the top right-hand corner, equalizing the score. However, the Lions quickly regained the lead when Robert Silva headed home, putting Copenhagen ahead once again.
Late drama in Copenhagen 😱#UCL pic.twitter.com/f4NcM118t6
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) September 18, 2025
But just as Copenhagen fans were celebrating their potential win, disaster struck. Claudio Echeverri's cross deflected off Pantelis Hatzidiakos, denying Copenhagen victory in heartbreaking fashion. This result means Copenhagen has now won only one of their last 15 major European matches against German sides.
Bayer Leverkusen, on the other hand, knows they got off the hook, earning a crucial point to start their League Phase campaign. This point could prove vital in the long run, especially considering the competitive nature of the UEFA Champions League. The match ended 2-2, with both teams creating scoring opportunities in a thrilling encounter.
Jordan Larsson aka Player of the Match ✨#fcklive #ucl pic.twitter.com/YEBqVaptqg
— F.C. København (@FCKobenhavn) September 18, 2025
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